A/N is located at the end this chapter.
Chapter 9
EPOV
I've lived over 1,000 long years, and I cannot recall ever being so captivated by another before. Oh, I've desired others and what I have desired, I have taken. For the last few nights I have been distracted by Sookie Stackhouse and it is making me mad. This is not how things usually go. Usually, I see someone I want and they are mine. Outside of Pam, no one has really held my attention for any great length of time. A feed, a fuck and I am on to the next one. There have been some women I have taken again, but to say that I have given them much thought would be like saying a human would spend a lot of time thinking about a piece of fruit they want to eat. It just doesn't happen.
I like the way she speaks her mind, even to me. There are not many who would be foolhardy enough to deny me. Yet this small blonde has managed to do it and I find myself enjoying it instead of wanting to hurt her for it. That makes me think to the other night I waited for her on her porch. I was angered when she spoke of the drainers who beat her. And when I asked her if she had heard from Bill, she got upset. I didn't like that. What could possibly cause me to care so much? There is something different about her. I know there is.
Something else has been on my mind since my last night with Sookie. She told me that Compton gave her his blood after she was attacked by the drainers that she helped defend him against the first night they met. Vampires do not part with their blood easily. I am certain that Sookie has believed that Bill did this out of the goodness of his heart; I know this is not the case. There is no goodness in his heart. Is there in any vampire? I am skeptical that this was something that happened without being pre-arraigned. Why did he want to tie himself to her? Well, I can understand that – she is such a beautiful and unique creature. But that's not it. Although I am fascinated by her, I do not know that I would be giving her my blood anytime soon.
I pick up the file on my desk that seems to be getting thicker by the day. It's the file that I have started on Compton. I have never been fond of him and now I find myself despising him. He has something that I want, and he is not worthy of her. He has spent over a week in Arkansas now at the home of Peter Threadgill. Pam has gotten more information from one of our spies on the inside, and they have been most forthcoming. Many times Threadgill and Compton meet behind closed doors, and their whispers are so quiet that it is difficult for any vampire to overhear. There was a welcoming party for Bill shortly after he arrived, and our spy lets us know that he did not spend his evening alone. After taking the pleasure of a few of the King's donors, he took the pleasure of his second-in-command. Jade Flower. I've got pictures of them in close contact, but my spy tells me that it went much further than that.
Jade is a ruthless vampire who lives to serve her master. Peter turned Jade and has trained her to be the assassin and bodyguard that she is. She is highly protective of her master, and ruthless to anyone she perceives to be a threat. She is definitely not someone I would consider as a bed mate. She reminds me of a female praying mantis. After mating, they eat the male. Not a situation that I would like to find myself in. Apparently, Bill is not as discriminating of who he beds. And if you could be with someone like Sookie, why would you want to take up with Jade Flower? What is he up to? Does Sophie Ann know?
I cannot speak to Sophie Ann about this yet. Bill did advise me that he would be out of town for a while doing work for the Queen. And he shows up in Arkansas. I do not want Sophie Ann knowing that I am watching Compton closely. She would think that I am watching her closely. To make her worried that I am planning something to rise against her, even though it would be untrue, would do me no good. I have no interest in ruling Louisiana. Again I wonder if Sophie Ann is trying to ease her bank accounts by purposing marriage to Arkansas. However, is Compton really the best one to go and negotiate? I would think she would send her demon attorney to start the process. By gods I hope that is what she is planning so this whole V debacle is over with. I do not like putting myself at such unnecessary risk by assisting Sophie in such a way.
Tonight is the night that I am to meet with Lafayette. He should have sold the rest by now. I know that it was a little unreasonable to expect him to have cleared the entire inventory by tonight, but it is important to keep humans motivated. Perhaps I will tell Lafayette to bring Sookie with him tonight. I close my eyes and think of kissing Sookie. I remember how her tongue played with my fangs. How amazing. If I can spend more time alone with her, I know she will start to forget about Compton. And then perhaps I can find out exactly why I am so drawn to her. No matter, I will make her mine.
I place a call to Lafayette directly, as Pam has not arrived at the bar. Since it's closed for business tonight, I do not require her to come in as early.
"Lafayette, it is Eric." I can tell by the sounds in the background that he is still at the shifter's bar.
"Hello there Eric. I know I got to come see you tonight. I's just finishin' up here and then will head out to Shreveport."
"I'd like you to bring Miss Stackhouse with you tonight Lafayette." He is quiet for a moment before responding.
"Nuh-uh. No can do."
Did I just hear correctly? Did Lafayette just tell me no? "Lafayette, I don't recall asking if you'd like to do so. I said that I want you to bring her with you tonight and you will do it." I am losing my patience with this human.
"Listen Eric, you may not know Sookie that well, so let me fill you in, she ain't gonna go anywhere that she don't wanna go. Especially if she's being told she's got to do it. And if that wasn't enough, I can NOT drive with her all the way out to you if you don't want her to know whatchya've got me doin."
"Lafayette, while I do think that Sookie is an interesting person, I doubt that she possesses the interrogation skills to make you divulge something that you do not want. I am confident that she is not as well versed in the art of torture as I am." Silly human, he's afraid of her?
"Man, you don't understand. If I gotta spend an hour with Sook drivin to you there's no WAY that I can spend an hour keeping my mind blank."
"Lafayette, explain." I really don't understand where he's going with this. I would have a hard time driving with her keeping my mind blank. I would be thinking the entire time about how I could ravish her, or picturing all the different ways she could please me. But Lafayette, I don't see that as his problem.
"Eric, she would know, trust me. She'd know what I was thinkin' even though I wouldn't say a word. She' d know, she'd be able to tell."
Is he telling me what I think he is telling me about Sookie? "Lafayette, are you telling me that Sookie can hear your thoughts?" This would be interesting.
"Awh Man, I didn't want to come out and say it, but yeah man. She can read my mind. And if I got her in the car with me, she'll get it out of me no matter what, without me realizin' I'm givin it up."
She is a telepath.
SPOV
The weekend passed by so quickly. I worked the entire weekend, and on Saturday even pulled a double because Arlene had something come up. I was glad for the work. I could always use the extra money. It also helped me get through another two days without a word from Bill. It was hard to focus on his absence when I was runnin' like a chicken with my head cut off slinging beers and burgers. It also kept me from thinking about Friday night.
Friday night I really thought that Bill had come home when I saw someone on my porch. I was shocked to find it was Eric. And I was shocked that I opened myself up to him so freely. When I had quiet moments to myself, as I was drifting off to sleep I found myself thinking of him… Eric. I felt his lips on mine, his hands on my skin and heard his groans. My heart would race each time I thought of him. What am I doing? What is going on with me?
I'm thinking of him again this morning. I don't have to work today. I've got too much time on my hands and all I can do is think. I decide it's time to get out and weed. If I'm going to torment myself by thinking of these two vampires who I can't seem to get out of my head, then at least I can be productive while I do it.
I bring my little radio outside to listen to as I garden. The music helps my mind drift away as I pull stubborn dandelions and clover from amongst Gran's flowers. I am a little reflective as I weed, thinking of Gran and all that she did for me. I picture us out here together, weeding and stopping to drink a cup of cold sweet tea. She never cared that Bill was a vampire. She accepted him with open arms. His southern heritage and manners certainly helped win him over. But I think she was glad that I had someone to keep me company; someone that I could relax with; someone who could love me.
But does Bill love me? Truly? If he did, why would he take off for so long and why did he stop calling me? He was such a rock for me when I lost Gran. I don't know if I would have been able to make it through without him. But now as I weed and think, I wonder; do I really know him? Do I really love him, or do I love the idea of him? Do I love the peace and quiet; the freedom to give myself to someone sexually without hearing about my boobs not being big enough, or my ass being too big? Or am I loving the man, er, vampire?
How could I think that I truly love Bill if I have spent the past 4 days pining over someone else (Eric) and replaying the little time we have spent together over and over in a continuous loop? I don't get the sparks with Bill that I feel when Eric touches me. I never have. What does that mean?
Time has gotten away from me as I've been out here weeding and thinking. I realize that it's after 4:00 when I'm broken out of my thoughts hearing Joe, my mail carrier pull up the driveway. I really should get the driveway fixed, but I haven't had the funds to do so. It is rutted and bumpy over the entire length. On the plus side, it would be next to impossible for a car to come up the drive without me hearing it. Being out on the edge of town, that really was a benefit. Joe came over to hand me my mail and to be courteous I offered him some sweet tea. After a quick glass of tea and catching up on some of the local gossip, he was back on his way. After searching through the mail: phone bill, water bill, library notice (one of the books I reserved is in), gardening catalog; I am surprised to find a letter. The envelope has my name beautifully written across it.
I tear into the envelope and immediately my hand starts to tremble after seeing who it is from. It's from Bill.
Sookie,
I write to you as I have been called away for a longer period of time than I have anticipated. I am unable to contact you via the telephone as I have. I am not certain how long I will be gone for, and I do not wish to argue with you about it if we were to speak.
I ask that you please keep your eye on my home. I did not stop my mail for this long, and I would appreciate it if you would collect it for me. My plants might also be suffering from not being watered for so long. If any are still able to be salvaged, might you consider taking them to your home to care for them?
I will contact you again when I am able to.
William
What the fuck? Oh Gran would be rolling over if she heard my language but excuse me, what the hell is this letter? You have got to be kidding me. This is a letter you would write to an acquaintance, not someone who you have professed your love to that you share your bed with! I sit on the steps to the porch for a while with my head in my hands.
God knows how long I sat there for, but I realize that I am so angry I could just scream. So I do. I let out a big, huge scream. It's good I'm out here in the middle of nowhere, so no one hears me. That's it. I'm done. I walk inside and slam the screen door closed. I slam the mail down on the table and head up to the bathroom to take a shower. When I get upstairs, I decide to take my time in grooming myself. There's no one to impress, but I always feel better after I've primped. I pull on a pair of shorts and a comfy T-shirt and head downstairs to fix a little something to eat. It's amazing that I'm not that hungry despite all of my work outside in the yard today. Getting that letter from Bill has made me lose my appetite.
I have got to give Tara a call. I'll ask her to come over and hang out. We'll watch some crappy tv, eat some junk food and she'll have me feeling better in no time.
"Hello?"
"Hey T, what's up?"
"Oh hey Sook. I was just getting' ready to go out. Whatchya up to?"
"Well, I was hoping that you might want to come on by tonight and hang. I'm off tonight and I've had a long weekend. I got a letter from Bill today and it pissed me off. I need some girl time!"
"I wish I could sista, but I've got a date!" I know it's been a while since Tara's been out on a date, and I was wondering who with. I just saw her a few nights ago and she didn't mention a darn thing!
"When did this happen? Who with Tara?"
"I'm going out with JB. Yesterday, he was shopping at the bookstore in the strip that Tara's Togs is in. He decided to stop in and say hi. We got to talking for a while, and he asked if I would go out with him tonight. He's so sweet Sookie!" JB was a pal of ours from HS, and was an all around good guy. Just not that bright.
"Tara, that's fantastic! I'm so excited for you. You've got to call me in the morning to tell me all about it."
She says that she will and I hang up the phone. As I walk to the fridge to pull out some stuff to make myself some dinner and I almost jump out of my skin when the phone rings. I'm thinking it's probably Tara. She must have forgotten to tell something.
"Hello?"
"Hello Sookie." It's him! I'd recognize that voice anywhere.
A/N – Okay, so Eric knows now that she's a telepath. Do you think this will change how he feels? And who do you think is on the phone calling?
Disclaimer – Charlaine Harris owns all of the SVM. I'm just playing.
