Hi there, back sooner than expected (I really am the laziest writer, ever). Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, especially those who don't usually pick Mr. Compton as their reading material. This is another longish chapter, and events probably don't go down as expected at the cliffhanger. I hope you enjoy it.

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Part Nine

I ran, simultaneously feeling for Juliet and trying to navigate my path. As I reached the bar after what felt like an age I slowed to human speed, finding everything as we had left it; loud conversation, brittle laughter, bright expensive clothes, cold, malicious faces, and faces flushed with drink. I closed my eyes, confused, focusing on my human's faint call. She was no longer frightened, which relieved me somewhat. Someone must have come to her aid, but she was still in terrible pain and shock.

I sprinted across the ballroom to the bar I remembered was on the opposite side, a breath of wind, stirring the gowns of the females dancing and causing some to squeak in surprise. When I entered the room I immediately scented blood; Juliet's blood, and someone else's. I came to a sudden stop with a growl, moving into an attack stance. But she was not there. There were signs of a struggle; upturned furniture and broken glasses, a group of people chattering excitedly in the corner, eyes bright with their enjoyment of the brief drama, and several palace guards. Rasul stepped forth with his hands palm out, stopping any attempt to leap on the figure that was shoved against a wall. It was one of the vampires that had been feeding on the fangbanger in the other bar, his hands bound in silver. The stench of his burning flesh wrinkled my nose. His face was slowly healing from being smashed to a bloody pulp, and I could smell Juliet's blood through the rank mix of scents.

My lips curled back, and I hissed at Rasul, near out of my mind with rage. 'Compton, calm down. She's safe now,' he ordered.

'What happened? Where is she?' I snarled. The vampire in chains was whimpering pathetically at the pain of his wounds, hunching defensively into a ball at the feet of the guards on either side, his black eyes bright with fear. I sensed he was young and stupid, but smart enough to know the consequences of feeding on another vampire's human without permission. If I was prevented from killing him, I would make sure he would be sent to the Magister for punishment.

I shook myself, clearing my head of the red mist of fury, concentrating on Rasul's quick, low voice. 'From what the witnesses say, your human wandered in here unaccompanied to get herself a drink. This idiot approached her, and she gave him short shrift. Didn't look him in the face while he was trying out his glamour. Clever girl that,' he smirked. 'He had been feeding on drunk humans all evening, and was quite drunk himself. He wouldn't take no for an answer, and attacked her. Perhaps he thought she was available?'

'No,' I spat. 'He saw her with me. Get to the point, who intervened? Where the hell is she?' As much as I wanted to hear what had transpired, I was desperate to find her. I did not trust anyone in the palace, and hated owing a debt to someone for her rescue. I felt un-manned by this mystery hero, and the sickening feeling added to my anger and worry. Though I could feel she was alive and unafraid, I itched to move.

Rasul rolled his dark eyes, not the least bothered by my jittery and frightening appearance. 'Eric Northman. He sailed in here, knocked the fool into next week, picked up your girl and flew out of the room, calling us in as he passed us in the hall,' he said, shaking his head in reluctant admiration. 'I've always thought he was an arrogant prick, but I've got to admit it was neat work. The ladies were all in a flutter when I got here. I think he took her upstairs to the guest rooms.'

If it was possible for me to retch, I would have. I spun on my heel and left the scene; the whimpering assailant, the callous witnesses, the bemused guards, all left in the dust as I hunted for the nearest set of stairs, my feet barely touching the carpet. The upstairs landing was quiet, and I slowed to a catlike walk, making no sound, suddenly mistrustful of my human and naturally suspicious of Eric's motives for such a show of gallantry. My emotions were a poisonous brew, worse than anything I had felt in decades, and I so I also mistrusted myself. I was a thread away from snapping, something I never allowed myself to do, and when I heard disembodied voices floating out into the hallway, I stopped, struggling to bring myself under control.

The door to their suite was open, and I felt a modicum of relief when I heard Eric's dry words. 'If you're going to throw up, give me some warning. I hate it when humans puke.'

'You're such a gentleman,' Juliet's voice replied, thin and wavering but still laced with her usual sarcasm. 'Why are you still here anyway?'

'Such gratitude for my daring rescue,' Eric countered. 'I'm babysitting you until your absent lover turns up, because you obviously can't be left alone for a minute without getting in the shit.' He paused, his amusement evident though I could not see him. 'And because you're bleeding so deliciously all over your dress. I find it quite a turn on.'

'Of course you would,' I heard her snort, then say harshly. 'Bill doesn't even know what happened, he's still busy with the Queen.' I flinched at the anger in her voice, but did not stir, continuing to eavesdrop like a petty fool.

'You're a silly girl in many ways,' Eric sighed. 'Putting aside your complete ignorance of our ways, the fact you're so obviously in love with someone you know nothing about, you're continuing to bleed to death in my lap and you won't let me help you. A bite will not heal without saliva to coagulate it, or blood.' He clicked his tongue in vexation.

Now was the time to move and stop this cosy chat, but my feet seemed rooted to the floor. 'Yeah I know, I'm a total idiot,' Juliet replied, her voice achingly sad. There was silence, broken by the rustling of her dress as she moved, then she added- 'Ouch...I didn't know a vampire bite could hurt so fucking much.'

'A bite here and there during sex is all you've had. Now you know different. We're designed for the kill, like any predator,' Eric explained, surprisingly patient. 'The scum that attacked you was a newborn. They're always hungry. He could have drained you in seconds. Good thing I was passing, Bill would be most upset to emerge from his meeting to find you dead.'

I heard her start to shudder, the shock now settling into her bones. 'Bill doesn't get upset,' she said bitterly. 'I swear sometimes he doesn't feel anything at all.'

'Now you're being very silly.'

I flinched again, wanting to turn and walk away from her anger, her disappointment. I had failed her, and there was no possibility of avoiding that fact. And yet I was angry at her, for disobeying me and placing us both in this situation. I steeled myself to enter the room, a thick wall of ice veiling my inner turmoil.

'Thank you for saving my silly ass,' I heard her say to Eric, then she sighed heavily. 'The room is going all fuzzy, and I'm scared shitless. I give up. He's not coming. I accept your offer, go ahead and clean me up, but no funny business. I am not interested in getting you all horny.'

'How gracious of you, Miss Polloni,' he purred. I didn't wait to hear the sound of his mouth on her throat, lest it splinter my self control. I swept into the room in a blur, finding his blonde head bent over the girl cradled in his lap. Too late; he was lapping at the ragged wound, his lids heavy with sensual enjoyment. Her eyes were closed, her neck tilted to give him access, and she gave a soft moan, merging with the rumble of pleasure that sounded in his chest.

He knew I was there the instant I entered of course, but did not stop. I did not want a confrontation, or to let him know how furious I was that it was he that rescued her, that it was he that now had her sweet taste on his lips. 'I hope I am not interrupting anything,' I said, my voice chill and remote. 'I came the moment I sensed trouble, but it took me a while to find you.'

Juliet started and pushed Eric away, who lifted his head to smirk at me. I ignored him, watching her as she struggled to stand, the ice thickening at the flush of guilt appearing in her shadowed eyes. The wound on her throat was two jagged holes that erased my own mark; the possessive act during our lovemaking achieving nothing, the scent of sex on her lush body only inflaming the greed of my rivals. There were bruises on her arms and her bodice was ripped, displaying the curve of one breast, the fabric stained with rivulets of blood. She was so white she reminded me of a lily stomped under the heel of a boot.

I held out my hand to her, and she took it, the reluctance in her posture very evident. 'I owe you a debt,' I said to Eric calmly. 'But do not expect me to like it, or repay the debt with her services.'

Offensively he licked his lips, and snickered. 'If I had a woman who tasted like that, I wouldn't want to share her either, so I forgive your rudeness.' He waved his fingers at Juliet. 'See you again, I hope.'

Trembling with rage, I turned my back on him, dragging the mute, miserable woman at my side into the crook of my arm to support her limp weight. She needed the soothing balm of my voice to reassure her that everything was fine, that I would make her safe and well, and that I was not angry, but I could not bring myself to comfort her, to acknowledge what had just happened. 'I will take you home.' I said coldly, and she nodded, her emerald eyes bright with unshed tears.

I averted my gaze from her and we left the room, the silence between enduring; a dense, grey fog of hurt. Not stopping to send a message to Sophie Anne, we slipped downstairs and free from the palace unseen. To ensure we met no one outside, I lifted her into my arms and flashed across the walkway to the carpark, the scent of two men on her despoiled body locking my teeth together like a vice.

*

On the way home, I spoke only to ask her whether she wanted me to take her to a doctor, as I knew of one who dealt with companions and servants without asking any questions, but she refused. I then insisted she must eat to regain some strength, and she directed me to the nearest fast food restaurant, where I ordered for her in the drive through facility; a milkshake and ice cream, automatically avoiding the fried food. She took the meal and gobbled it quickly, knowing well she desperately needed the protein and sugar. In the dim light of the car I could see she still looked pale and pinched and blank with shock, and she looked even worse when I got her upstairs and undressed, wrapping her in a robe an placing her on the bed.

I fetched a damp cloth to wipe the blood from her chest, unbound her hair, brought her fruit juice and her vitamins, as attentive as a mother but as dumb as a post. I chewed over the events of the night, wondering what I could have done to prevent the attack. She had ignored my orders and wandered off on her own in a fit a pique, but she had cause to be upset. I should never have taken to her to the palace and I had forseen such an incident, but I had no choice. So I took the blame, feeling its leaden weight settle on my shoulders with all the other burdens of my long life.

But I could not force the foul images from my mind, of her offering her neck to Eric, and their vivacious flirtation in the bar beforehand, and her harsh words about my person. I sat on the edge of of the bed, staring at a framed sketch on the wall, tracing its strong, oblique lines with dull eyes, ignoring the pleading look on her face, her soft hand reaching for mine. 'Bill, please talk to me,' she said, her voice small and uncertain. I did not reply.

The mattress shifted as she moved towards me, trying to crawl into my lap, but then I caught his scent again and recoiled from her. 'You smell like him,' I hissed, without thinking.

She froze, her eyes filled with hurt, then boiling rage. With amazing strength, she leaped from the bed, bristling like an angry cat, and lifted her arm. The slap sounded like the crack of a horse whip, strong enough to sting me momentarily. 'You bastard! She shrieked. 'Do you think I wanted any of this? To be patronised and insulted, and attacked so I had to be rescued by fucking Eric, while you had a nice chat with your bitchy boss? How dare you?' Exhausted, she staggered, and I was flooded with shame, watching her crumple at my feet, weeping as if her heart was breaking. I had never seen her cry, though must have done so when she was alone. It destroyed me, the wall of ice coming crashing down.

I fell to my knees, gathering her up in my arms. She struggled against me uselessly, cursing and slapping, but my grip was like iron, making her frail bones creak. I licked at her damp cheeks, bathing in the sweet scent of her tears, my pride and affront gone. 'I am sorry, forgive me,' I murmured brokenly. 'I do not deserve you.' And soon I will leave you. I do not when I can return to you and I think it is good that I don't, and yet it hurts me more than you will ever know.

My secret, silent words wrenched at my throat, pleading to get out, but now was not the time. I claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss, smothering her curses and sobs, and she gave up the fight, melting into me, her soft, bruised body shaking violently. Immediately I wanted her, longed to erase the stain of other hands and mouths, and I despised myself anew. I needed to give, not take. I whispered more words of apology into her mouth, the curve of her neck, showering kisses and promises that never again would she come to any harm.

The rawness of her misery tore at my dead heart, and I knew she was mourning for the end of us and all we had shared, the love she felt so strongly meeting a blank wall of impossibility. I wished with all my being I could be the man she wanted and needed. The man that she saw in me from the first time she noticed me across a crowded bar, but who I was blind to myself. 'Shh, sweetheart, please don't cry. I am a cad, a bastard...none of this is your fault. Hit me again if it will make you feel better,' I pleaded, lifting her face from my shoulder to look into her eyes, red rimmed and swollen, but still beautiful.

She sniffled wretchedly, a glimmer of amusement flaring in her irises. 'Don't tempt me.' She was a dead weight in my grasp, utterly drained, her warm, honeyed skin chill to the touch. 'Take me to bed,' she sighed, linking her arms around my neck. 'Take me to bed and hold me, and don't leave me until you have to. I'm too tired to be angry anymore, and I need you. God help me, I do.'

'Gladly,' I said, laying a kiss on her temple, feeling the worryingly slow pulse of her life force under my lips. She needed blood, and though it was unwise in the circumstances, I had to persuade her to drink from me. I lifted her back onto the bed, untying her robe and settling her under the covers, then shed my stiff, formal clothes, pleased to be free of them at last. I slid in next to her, gathering her up, holding her spooned on her side, her round bottom tucked neatly against my groin, my arm across her breasts. It was a warm night, so the coldness of my limbs did not chill her. I could feel the warmth of her core radiating out despite the clammy texture of her skin.

I was aroused at her proximity and the repressed desire to reclaim her, but I made no advances, humbled at her forgiveness, content to listen to her soft breathing and the thump of her heart. I nosed at her throat, pushing her silky hair out of the way of her wound so I could inspect it properly. Eric had done a good job of cleaning and closing the marks, but I wanted them gone. I wanted the colour to flood back into her face and lingering fear banished from her eyes. 'Don't think about it,' I whispered. 'You are safe now, and you need to sleep.'

She turned her head to look up at me. 'I can't, she replied. 'It was so vile.' She hesitated for a moment, visibly hunting for the right words to explain how she felt. 'When you bite me, it's always when were are having sex, and I love it and want it. It feels good. But the man who attacked me...I didn't want it, and he didn't care that it hurt like hell...it was kind of like being raped.' Her brow creased in distress, and I wondered for a horrible moment if she had suffered such a thing in the past. 'I think I'm a pretty brave person, but I'd never been so scared in my life. I don't know when I'll be able to sleep again...seeing his evil face...and I don't know if I'll ever like being bitten again.'

Fresh tears leaked from her eyes, and I swallowed my guilt and rage to soothe her, catching her lips briefly before speaking. 'You are are very brave,' I reassured her. 'And you never have to worry about that man again, he will be dealt with.' She visibly flinched at the look of death on my face, I shook my head to clear it and forced a gentle smile to blossom forth. 'I have suggestion for you, to make you feel better.'

Her dark brows lifted, and she wiped her face with the back of her hand. 'I doubt anything will, but go on.' She managed a small smile in return.

'Revenge, if you will. You can bite me.'

She chuckled, then bared her little teeth. 'I lack the equipment,' she joked, then her face grew serious again. 'I don't want to drink from you, Bill. The last time I did...well, it made me all weird.'

'I was remiss in not explaining its effects,' I said gently. 'But one effect is its healing powers. You lost a lot of blood tonight, and you are bruised and in pain. If you fed from me, you would be cured.'

She looked at me with wonder. 'That's amazing, I never thought...but of course! All the marks I had disappeared that night, and I haven't felt sick since.' She paused, her small fingers stroking my face, toying with my sideburns. 'What else did it do to me? Did it make me feel things I normally wouldn't?' Her gaze was suddenly razor sharp, and I realised she was afraid that my blood had make her fall in love, had tricked her into her infatuation with me and all the pain she had endured as a consequence.

'No, my blood cannot put feelings in your head that weren't already there in some form, it only enhances them,' I said honestly. 'Along with your libido, and the five senses. It also gives me the ability to track you, and to experience what you are feeling.'

She seemed very wary suddenly, her mind working to absorb the implications. 'So...I am an open book to you,' she said slowly. 'Why can't I feel you? Sometimes I think I do, but its just flashes. I thought I was going mad, or caught up in the moment when we're making love.' She shifted in my embrace, the wariness forming into anger. She did not like that I could feel her emotions; vulnerability was not a state she was comfortable with.

'Please let me explain before you get mad.' I begged her. 'To bond with you was something I felt compelled to do, to protect you from others, to give you status as mine. I did it because I care for you; more than any human I have met in my long life. I wanted you so much, Juliet. And to feel what you feel, to have a piece of myself inside you, is an honour I will treasure for always.'

Her face softened and glowed, and we both forgot the terrible events of the night, the drawing away from each other as the tiny cracks in our imperfect, private world began to spread. She kissed me, her hot breath gasping into my parted lips as our tongues entwined. I moved to slide between her thighs, resting my weight on my arms and knees so I wouldn't hurt her, my mouth trailing down her neck to her wonderful breasts, hiding my face in their abundance. 'You old smoothie,' she murmured wryly. 'I like it when you talk to me. I'm getting sick of living half my life in the dark.'

Her nails drew patterns on the skin of my back, and her legs tightened around my flanks possessively, bringing my erection directly against the wet, yielding flesh of her mound. I hesitated, more words ready on my tongue, confessions about my lonely, silent existence before her and how hard it was for me to talk about myself, to allow myself to feel what came naturally to her. But then I remembered the Queen's new orders and the words evaporated. I could not make it harder than it was already going to be.

A spasm of weakness shook her, and she blanched, her hands falling away from my backside, her ardour too much for her in her weakened state. It negated the need to answer. 'Juliet,' I coaxed, reaching to cup her cheek tenderly. 'You can no longer argue. You need to drink from me. I am so worried about you.'

'I'm worried too,' she sighed, frown lines appearing on her brow. 'Alright. As long as it won't make me even more crazy. I feel like hell. You've got to help me though, I don't think I can bite you hard enough.'

'Thank you,' I said huskily, relieved and excited. 'Watch me.' Sharing blood was one of the most exquisite of pleasures, and I felt my hardness dig impatiently into her inner thigh as she focused her cloudy gaze on me. Her legs twined with mine, and she moaned and rubbed against me slightly. Every inch of my flesh tingled at the soft, silken prison of her limbs wrapped around me, and my fangs clicked into place, but the answering desire on her face was marred by a flash of fear. I sunk the sharp points into my lower lip firmly, then coated my tongue in the welling blood, bending to attend to the wound in her throat. I erased the obscene holes, then bit my lip again to reopen the flow of blood as she whimpered and writhed under me.

She took my bottom lip between hers and suckled obediently, electricity crackled up my spine and I stiffened and groaned as my essence trickled down her throat. She made a surprised noise, then snatched at my hair, drawing me closer, pulling at my lip like a famished child. I could feel my blood crawling through her body, making it stronger, her desire sharpening as it worked its strange magic. She lifted her hips in invitation and I entered her, growling low as I sheathed myself to the root, the leap of her heart and her choked screech of pleasure near drawing me into the void of instant climax.

And then I was rolling her over, rocking her gently on my cock as she sobbed into my mouth, licking greedily at the stray drops of blood on my lips and chin as the wound sealed closed. Her hands found mine and pinned them to the bed. She took control of me, rolling her hips to force me deeper into her velvety heat, her swaying hair and breasts tickling my prickling skin. She reared back, her body arching beautifully, her teeth bared, the colour of life flushing her flawless throat, darkening to red in her hard nipples and her blissful face. I tilted my head to the side, offering her my neck, begging her in a broken, raspy voice I barely recognised to bite me, to take more of me inside her. She slammed her teeth down into my flesh with a feral cry, breaking the skin, and I fell off the brink, erupting inside her as she pulled at the shallow cuts, her sex rippling around my pulsing length.

Darkness swallowed me up in its maw, dragging her down with me, where we were safe from the outside world and all its cruel reality. We swam in that mindless paradise for what seemed like hours, but eventually it ended and we were tossed back onto the ravaged bed, gasping for breath and staring at each other with wide eyes. All good things must end, we couldn't stay down there forever.

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