Author's Note: I am looking into some different places to post this story unfiltered since the more mature content is coming soon. I will let you all know soon, and in the mean time I will continue to post here with small modifications to make this fit under the content guidelines here. Thanks!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Chapter 10 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sookie's Point Of View

Looking out on the streets of Dallas I found myself remembering a night less than a week ago that was eerily similar to this. Bill and I had been locked in a heated argument over my decision to bring Jessica on a nostalgic drive past her old family home. That evening turned disastrous for more than one reason and it seemed tonight would be no less eventful.

Talking to this irate vampire had proven to be completely pointless in the past since he obviously never wanted to hear anything I had to say anyway. So tonight I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid digging a deeper hole for myself. Bill, however, was in a regrettably chatty mood, trying to keep his anger and frustration buried in a shallow grave.

As his driving was getting more erratic with every hate-filled comment, I contemplated my chances of survival if I tried to escape. It was remote, but there was a slight possibility that I could get away if I timed my exit well and jumped out at a stop light just as it turned green. I nervously considered that the last time I tried to walk away from Bill during a fight I got horribly clawed and almost killed. I was certain that an ominous precedent had been set that meant tonight would not end without even more bloodshed.

A sudden sense of dread gripped me as I considered what Bill might do and if it could be worse than the horned creature I encountered in the woods. Bill turned to Eric to save me that night and I was worried that I might find the need to do the same thing. I might have to turn to Eric to save me from Bill.

I didn't want to lean on these men - these vampires - for anything; my Gran raised me better than that. She found the strength to handle some tough times all on her own. I couldn't even imagine how hard it would be for an elderly woman to look after two orphaned children, especially when one was a misunderstood telepath and the other was a complete and total idiot.

Getting paid for doing a job as a telepath was one thing, but I didn't want to feel indebted to Eric. I liked being in control of my own life too much to give that kind of power to someone else. Waitressing at Fangtasia or washing Eric's Corvette was not something I had planned for myself as a method of repayment, or any other business arrangement Eric would likely capitalize on if given the opportunity.

On the other hand, I was no longer as certain as I once was that the Viking vampire was the conniving bastard I first took him for, at least not with me anyway. I had been seeing a whole other dimension of his personality lately. He seemed to fiercely guard the best parts of himself behind that hard granite exterior to ensure he was regarded with respect due his elevated position in the vampire world.

His kind gesture in the hallway, for instance, was just another example of his carefully concealed emotional range. His wonderfully unexpected expression of gratitude was not just because he wanted to have sex with me - although I was sure Eric wouldn't mind that course of action. The moment he looked into my eyes I could tell his appreciation was true and sincere in a way that I'd never seen from him. It was every bit as unnerving as much as it was refreshing. It was difficult not to react to that level of openness, especially from someone who so rarely showed it.

If Bill had been even a minute later in his arrival, I was certain he would've encountered an entirely different scene. Had Eric and I been kissing when Bill discovered us in the hallway, I'm sure the whole situation would have deteriorated into something much worse, most likely a fight ending in Eric's definite favor. I certainly didn't want any harm to come to Bill; he'd really done nothing wrong after all.

I simply wanted to be free from the burden of Bill's stifling, overbearing behavior. It seemed like he looked down on me because he was perversely jealous of the humanity he believed lost to him. Recently, he'd been like a boa constrictor tightening around my neck and if I didn't free myself of him soon I was sure he would suffocate me in his woes with immortality.

I shuddered to think what Eric could physically do to Bill if he wanted. I was sure if Bill had gone after Eric, the Viking would have done whatever he felt necessary to maintain his dominant position in front of the other vampires. It wouldn't have been difficult for him and I had long suspected that Eric's been eagerly waiting for an excuse to put Bill in his place anyway.

William Compton seemed to be the only vampire in Area 5 who consistently and openly disrespected his Sheriff. After seeing the behavior of the Dallas vamps in deference to their leader, I could recognize now how tolerant Eric actually had been with Bill. I wondered why Bill thought he could get away with blatant insubordination; unless he felt exempt for some reason, like he could go over Eric's head or something. But who was above Eric? I couldn't exactly see the Viking bowing down to anyone he was always so confident, masculine, and proud.

Thinking of Eric in that way made me wonder what would've happened if Bill hadn't interrupted - again. I could only imagine how exhilarating that kiss would have been. Remembering the small distance between us that seemed insurmountable because of the circumstances, I still could almost feel the powerful tingles of magnetism which had been compelling me towards Eric's inviting lips. It just felt so right.

"You're thinking about him right now. Aren't you, darling?" Bill asked, impeding my reverie. With a saccharin sweet sound to his voice and fake smile plastered on his face, this bizarre behavior had me truly frightened. Judging by his appearance, it seemed as if Bill had crossed over the edge from vampire boyfriend to vampire in bloodlust.

I was afraid to look directly at him and risk inciting his aggression further. Instead, I stared fixedly out the window as the streets of Dallas zoomed by faster and faster. "Do you think of him often when we're together, my dear? I can tell he has you very excited, Sookie." He laughed strangely.

"You can't deny it anymore, sweetheart. I saw the way you both were looking at each other. If I hadn't stopped you, I'm sure he would have had his way with you right there. It's obvious now that you wouldn't mind becoming another conquest of his, as long as you can finally get your hands on him just like you've always wanted."

I could feel his eyes boring into me, emitting nothing but malice and contempt. "I bet you wish you could go back to that first night in Fangtasia. You only claimed to be mine because you were scared of him and what he might do to your virginity." Bill sneered, derision evident in his evil smirk.

"He wanted you so badly that night he actually asked if he could have you. Even though you claimed you were mine, I could smell how much you wanted him even then. But being the kind of filthy liar that you are, you denied it. I should have known better than to ever leave you alone with him. I wish I could've just glamoured you in the first place, then none of this would have ever happened."

'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' I silently screamed in my head, confused but too afraid to speak or question him. Checking my reaction, I went back to staring out the window. I was getting overwhelmed by my frustration with the unfamiliar street signs, focusing on an escape plan instead of Bill's insults. After several streets zoomed by and no definable landmarks could be seen, I knew even if I did get a chance to jump out at a stop light I had no idea which way to run to find safety.

"It was only a matter of time before he found out about you. I thought I could hold him off until after I finished… but you just couldn't control yourself. Could you?" I still didn't answer him or break eye contact with the window as I started to speculate what he meant by that last comment. 'After what? What the hell was Bill planning to do with me?'

It amazed me that I never noticed how cold Bill could look - deadly in fact, even in the distorted reflection of the window. Flinching as he leaned closer in a calculated act of intimidation, knowing I was watching him through the glass, he restrained his heated voice to just above a whisper but still managed a threatening tone. "My, my, you certainly are a quick learner, Sookie. You had sex with me for the first time not long ago and you're already prepared to take another lover. It's remarkable that a woman can go from a virgin to a slut practically overnight."

I wanted to slap him for the insult. I wanted to scream in his face. I wanted to defend myself against these attacks on my character, but he had a peculiar, detached look on his usually calm face. Bill seemed so disconnected from reality at the moment that I wasn't sure if I were to do something as small as hiccup, he wouldn't be set off into a wild frenzy.

"Tell me, sweetheart, are things so lacking between us that you have to turn yourself into a proper whore befitting that Viking scum just to be satisfied?" Bill yelled at me condescendingly. "Did you ever consider that maybe you were always meant to be a tramp? You just never had the chance to find out because you weren't even good enough for the trash of Bon Temps to touch you."

Willing myself with every ounce of energy I had left to listen to my better judgment and think before speaking, I could barely contain my growing rage at this point. I had my fists so tightly clenched that my nails were digging into my hands a little deeper with each insult he spewed. Even though I knew it was in my best interest to keep my mouth shut while trapped in the car with this livid vampire, I couldn't handle being insulted this much by the man I thought I loved only a few days ago.

My voice breaking, I asked him sincerely, "How could you say that to me, Bill? You tell me nothing but half-truths and then claim I'm dishonest. I've never been anything but loyal to you, Bill. I've never so much as kissed Eric and you're acting like you caught us doing it in his office."

As soon as I said the word "office", his eyes lit up like his seat was on fire. Nothing but pure anger animated his typically composed face as he screamed, "I knew it! You looked so damn guilty when I walked in the room and I could smell him everywhere on your skin. I truly hope you enjoyed yourself because you're never going to see him again, you deceitful whore. And while I went to get the car you were giving yourself to Eric in his office."

"Of course not, Bill! You must know that isn't at all what I meant. I already told you that I've never even kissed let alone actually had sex with Eric." I struggled to placate him by using the calmest, most tranquil voice I could muster. Despite my anger at his hurtful words, I was certain that keeping the beast at bay was the best way to get out of this car alive. "I've always told you the truth, Bill."

As the buildings finally started to take on some form of familiarity, I was relieved that I knew where I was. This feeling of relief quickly gave way to being suddenly scared to death. If I recognized the area that meant we must have been close to the hotel and the daunting privacy of our suite. My current perception of the secure, light-tight, sound-proof vampire suite we were headed to now seemed more like a prison cell instead of the safe haven it appeared to be when we first arrived only a few hours before.

At this moment isolation was the last thing I wanted. In fact, I wanted to be in a very public setting, preferably within a large crowd of people so Bill had to maintain some semblance of control. He couldn't glamour everyone after all. 'Maybe I can talk him into sitting at the bar or in the lobby to talk,' I thought wishfully.

My sudden fidgeting clued Bill into my growing anxiety, causing him to smile and attempt to sound comforting when he spoke. "Sookie, I promise no harm will come to you as long as you remain honest with me. Can you do that for me, darling?" I nodded emphatically, too scared to speak for fear of what else I might say to further incriminate myself.

"Sookie, remember that I can tell if you lie… hear your heartbeat change or your breathing quicken… I simply want to know... do you ever imagine you are with Eric when we make love? Do you ever wonder what he'd do to you in bed?" His voice was desperately straining to sound calm in an effort to encourage my answer while he looked at me expectantly with an odd mixture of hatred and lust.

I feared that my physiological responses might tell him the truth even if I didn't, so I opted for 'honesty being the best policy' in this situation. "I'm not going to lie, Bill, you and I both know that Eric is very attractive. There has been… a few times… when my mind may have drifted off to him unintentionally. Until recently though I've considered him so selfish and evil that I never really gave much thought to what he'd actually be like in bed."

Bill was obviously just as angry by the truth as he would have been from my lie, the steering wheel squeaking under the pressure of his tightening grip. In an effort to mitigate the damage I had unwittingly done by trying to remind him of the implications that he himself made which could have also been to blame for my wandering mind. "If you remember correctly, Bill, you were the one who told me that sex with him was indescribable. I really can't help that on occasion I have wondered what that meant. But I want you to know that I've always enjoyed being with you like that."

My hopes that the whole truth would appease any reasonable part left in him were quickly dashed when a sinister laugh escaped him. "Well, I think you need to know that I've always held back for fear of hurting you. I'm quite sure he wouldn't be so gentle with you, Sookie." Wondering about the implications of that statement, I felt slightly insulted and hurt that Bill hadn't been honest with me about our sex life.

As we sped closer toward our destination, I reminded myself to stay in the moment and in control of my words for the sake of my own well-being. I knew that I couldn't allow my emotions to dictate my actions in this dangerous game of cat and mouse, especially not when the cat had a deranged, Cheshire-style grin.

"Maybe that is what you really want, Sookie? Do you want to see what it's like to be one of those fangbangers that crawl at his feet and beg for more? You protest being 'mine' so much that it makes me wonder if you might actually want to be treated more like my pet instead. Do you want to be my pet, sweetheart?"

I said nothing in response. I wasn't sure I knew enough about the intricacies of vampire lingo to understand the difference, but nothing about being a "pet" sounded appealing. The mental pictures alone of choke chains and leashes were enough to make me tremble with longing for the word "mine".

When we stopped short at the valet booth in front of the Hotel Carmilla I got the distinct impression that the human employees purposely averted their eyes away from the undead guests. It was probably a safety measure to avoid the risk of needing to be glamoured to forget what they saw at the hotel.

Evidence of this policy was clear as the valet approached, the young uniformed man never allowing his gaze to lift above Bill's shirt. This behavior caused an unequivocal realization to strike me. Even if we stayed in the lobby there would be no one coming to help me if Bill decided to attack.

Why hadn't I thought this through completely when I agreed to leave the nest with him? I supposed I never really thought that Bill would hurt me. I thought we'd have an argument and I'd pack my things to go stay somewhere else. Now, however, I had a horrible suspicion that he'd been wearing a presentable mask for me all along. It was about to come off to reveal the true monster underneath and there was nothing I could do to stop the unveiling.

As if sensing my frantic thoughts of escape, he walked quickly to my side of the car. Bill extended his hand in what might have appeared to any observer to be the chivalrous behavior of a true gentleman with good Southern manners, but I knew better. The tight squeeze of the steely hand grasping mine was meant as anything but a courteous sentiment. It was more like a shackle tethering me firmly to this vampire until we reached the privacy of our room where any number of horrors might have been waiting for me.

'Jessica!' I thought, mentally slapping myself for not thinking of her sooner. Jessica should still be in the room. Maybe Bill would be more restrained in his anger with Jessica there. I supposed he could always command her to leave, but at least he wouldn't have me trapped with no witnesses at all. I was suddenly very thankful that I insisted she come on this trip.

Bill ushered me quickly through the lobby, heading directly to the bank of elevators that went to the light-tight rooms. I kept scanning the lobby for Barry or anyone else I had met in Dallas, hoping someone might pick up on my distress and send for help. I ended my futile search with a sense of total desperation. I knew that once I stepped off this elevator there was only a short walk through a narrow corridor until we were completely obscured from the view of inquisitive eyes.

With every beep that signified the elevator descending another floor, my heart raced a little faster. The foreboding clang of the elevator arriving in the lobby felt like the last nail being hammered into my coffin, profoundly sealing my fate as the doors opened up.

Bill abruptly nudged me into the small compartment with him and pressed the button, hurrying so the approaching couple was forced to take the next one. The metal doors seemed to slam shut though I was certain that was only an interpretation of my edgy mind. When we started ascending to our floor, drawing me closer to seclusion and further from protection, he surprised me by pulling me in closer to his body, pressing me into a loveless embrace against his cold, hard chest.

"You know all you have to do is apologize, sweetheart. I understand that you're human and a young one at that. You are simply too weak to control your impulses. If you apologize, I'll let you make it up to me. I am going to let you to show me what a good girl you can be." With Bill so close to me, it was a miracle I was able to suppress my body's shudder at his words. After all of the disgust he proclaimed to have for me in the car, the prospect of him ever touching me intimately again was simply revolting.

"I'll devote some time to making you into a proper pet for a vampire of the Queen's court, sweetheart," Bill said, allowing his cold hands to roam my trembling body. 'There's a Queen?' I questioned myself, wondering if in my distress I may have misheard. 'Bill knows a Queen?'

My escalating nervous shakes must have given Bill some kind of sick satisfaction as he seemed heartily amused by my helplessness. He chuckled cruelly against my ear after he inhaled the fragrance of my hair so deeply it almost went up his nose. My rapid breathing increased as I was certain my fear thickly perfumed the air, making him even more delighted with my situation.

Not that it was possible to mistake his enjoyment of tormenting me this way when his body began reacting in lust. Bill squeezed me tighter, his hands exploring my body as I quaked with fear in his arms. A sudden thought gripped me as his fingers deftly slid under the hem of my dress, 'Who the hell is this man? What if this is the real Bill Compton?'

When the elevator finally released us from what felt like a never-ending journey, Bill seemed to have cooled off with his intimidating behavior. Mollified by his undeniable dominance over me, he led me down the hallway. He loosened his crushing, vice-like grip on my hand up, choosing to act somewhat normal until the moment he noticed my lingering interest in the door to Eric's room.

It was a hopeful wish on my part, a kind of silent prayer that by looking at the entrance to the Viking's den he would come to rescue me before this villainous beast pulled me into the darkness of his lair. 'Wishful, fairytale-thinking is certainly not going to save me,' I reasoned with myself, but humbly concluded, 'I know that I am going to need some kind of miracle at this point.'

Bill easily recognized the longing in my eyes for Eric and resentfully tugged my arm to regain my undivided attention, my undistracted fear. As the key card unlocked the last obstacle to our solitude, he abruptly shoved me into the suite, turning around to secure the locks. Knowing there were only seconds to react, I immediately ran to Jessica's door.

Bill looked startled by my actions for a moment as he gradually registered my plan. I was relieved but not really surprised that Bill clearly forgot about his Child's presence in our joined suite. I was thankful, just this once, he was neglectful of her as I hurriedly flung open Jess' door without knocking, revealing something I certainly had not expected.

Jessica was there, as was Hoyt Fortenberry, tangled in the sheets looking like they were just about to have sex. I felt horrible for catching them in this intimate moment, but she was my last chance to get distance between me and my vampire pursuer. If I had to choose between living to see the sunrise and Jessica getting some, she was definitely going to remain a virgin for another night.

"Sweet Jesus!" Jessica shrieked as I dove over their entwined bodies to the far side of the bed. It was slightly astonishing that I was able to startle her like that considering she had heightened vampire senses and all. Though, I was quite sure she was otherwise distracted, as I was suddenly very aware that Hoyt was completely naked and Jessica was only in her underwear.

"Sookie, what the hell are you doing in here?" Jessica whined while trying to cover herself with the rumpled sheets. Hoyt had scrambled off the bed to find his pants just as Bill entered the room, attempting to appear angry and protective in a paternal way. It was amazing to see how quickly he had rearranged his features to obscure the underlying demon in him from view.

"Yes, Sookie, what exactly are you doing in here?" Bill feigned concern and surprise as he took in the scene. Giving the illusion of his modesty, he looked away from Jessica as he spoke sternly, "Jessica, I thought I told you to leave this boy alone. I will not tolerate such willful misconduct and inappropriate behavior… from either of you."

Inching closer to the bed, Bill's mask began slipping. "Perhaps a lesson will be learned tonight, after all." He said the last part while staring at me intently, fangs slightly exposed over his lips. I couldn't find the words to explain the situation properly, so I quietly crouched, curled in a protective ball at Jessica's side.

Hoyt was completely unaware of Bill's implied threat as he searched for his lost clothing. Jessica, however, seemed to acknowledge the danger in Bill's abnormal demeanor. She stopped fidgeting with the bed sheet instantly and carefully pulled Hoyt's elusive shirt on over her head, only letting her eyes leave Bill for the brief moment the fabric obscured her view.

I looked to her with pleading eyes and she put her cool, delicate-looking hand over mine for reassurance although she seemed just as uncertain as I was with our safety. The menacing vampire was looming over the foot of the bed, looking wild-eyed and deranged at both of us when Hoyt finally registered the perilous tension in the room.

Bill looked starving with lust and hunger at both me and Jessica as I began to wonder just what he might be capable of, not having figured on that kind of response. Looking back on it, any notion I previously entertained about the boundaries of his moral compass made me feel naïve. I never knew him at all.

One thing was certain; Bill could easily overpower all of us, not to mention the ability to command Jessica to do his bidding. I started to panic as I thought of all of the terrible scenarios that could play out given Bill's present mental state, none of them ended well for us.

Hoyt began backing up from the bed slowly without turning his back on the Civil War veteran turned predatory killer in the room. Bill picked up on the movement and in a thinly veiled threat trained his murderous gaze on Hoyt. "You drove all the way here from Bon Temps… for her." His voice was thick and derisive, insulting on so many levels. "Are you so eager to have your throat ripped out? I tried to warn you that a fresh human like you is irresistible to a baby vampire like her."

Bill looked from Jessica to Hoyt, speaking with a sneer. "Tell me, Mr. Fortenberry, do you want me to just end you now, clean and quick, so you don't die from the anticipation. Perhaps you'd prefer I let my pathetic child here have a little fun with you first?" He gestured towards "his Child" who looked horrified at Bill's insinuation.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction from Bill's attention, I discreetly reached into my purse for my phone. Without removing it from the concealed position in my handbag, I attempted to dial Eric. Instantly Bill was on top of me on the bed, prying my phone from my clutched hand. He must have heard the tiny beeps from the buttons as I dialed. I chastised myself for not disabling that function of the phone when I got the cursed device, though who knew I would need to use it on the sly.

Effortlessly, he shattered my phone in his hand. He threw the shards against the wall, splintering it even further, destroying the only means to aid our chances of survival. I silently prayed that the phone rang even once before the call ended. Hopefully it would be enough to give Eric some indication I needed his help.

At this moment I had no compunction or concern over my hurt pride in owing Eric. I wouldn't care if he wanted me to sell T-shirts in the parking lot of Fangtasia for the rest of my life if he would just help us all out of this situation which was getting worse by the second.

"Sookie, darling, you weren't calling him for help are you? He won't come for you. He doesn't care about you like I do. Say you're sorry! Say you'll make it up to me! Say you're mine, and I'll forgive you for embarrassing me earlier," Bill screamed inches from my face. Jessica used the opportunity to scurry away from the bed and closer to freedom, but she shockingly didn't leave.

Bill allowed me to wriggle free from his crushing embrace in what I could only assume was an effort to enhance the thrill of the hunt a bit more for himself. He stalked me like a predator around the room with every step I took backwards, matched by his carefully placed encroachment. I started knocking over anything I could grab to create even an ineffective barrier between me and the vicious creature in front of me, desperate and afraid now for more than just my own life.

With only a brief glance towards Jessica, I saw that she looked rightfully frightened and confused, as did Hoyt standing slightly behind her. The last time she saw me and Bill together we were getting along same as always. Now, Bill had a glint of murder in his eyes and I probably looked like a scared little field mouse running from a snake in the grass.

He hissed at her when she moved to my side, momentarily focusing all of his attention on her and Hoyt. To Jessica's credit, she didn't cower in front of her Maker. Instead she stood in front of me and Hoyt protectively as we backed out of the bedroom and into the sitting area completely in sync. It was like a well-choreographed routine, although I was quite certain we had never performed this horrible dance before.

"Jessica, I thought I told you to stop behaving like such a slattern. You constantly prove yourself to be nothing more than a horrible disappointment. What is so difficult about keeping your legs shut that you both seem to find difficult to understand? Perhaps it isn't your fault, maybe all young women today are filthy whores."

From behind Jessica's protective stance, Hoyt mumbled meekly, "Vampire Bill, you shouldn't talk to ladies like that." Jessica shushed him and scooted a little further out of Bill's reach.

"I don't know what has come over you, Bill, but I know that I have certain rights. Eric told me what you're supposed to be doing for me, teaching me and everything. If I tell Eric that you've been leaving me alone all the time and disappearing all night he'll punish you for sure."

'Oh shit!' I thought, bracing myself for what might happen next. That might have been the absolute worst thing Jessica could have said. Mentioning Eric's authority over Bill in this explosive moment was so potentially volatile. I barely had the reason left in my mind to register the fact that she just revealed Bill had been mysteriously disappearing. 'I wonder where he's been going.'

Apparently angry over her admission and perceived mockery, Bill hit her so hard and fast that the only evidence of his aggressive action could be registered as a blur. When she landed with a thud across the room, her mouth was bleeding and she seemed to have broken at least one leg. It was very obvious now that Bill was seething with fury and had no desire to show any restraint. "You will never speak his name again to me, Child, or you will come to regret it."

Hoyt looked like he wanted to defend his girlfriend, but knew that was an impossible suicide mission in such a one-sided fight. For this reason, I couldn't really blame his inclination towards self-preservation when he ran to the door to escape as Bill advanced on me.

He grabbed me tightly by the top of my arms and screamed in my face. "Sookie Stackhouse, you are my human and I will never let you go. You will apologize to me at once for renouncing my claim and accept your punishment for the trouble you've caused me."

"Stop this, Bill, please! Don't hurt her. What's wrong with you? You love Sookie!" Jessica pleaded as she slowly recovered her ability to stand. Bill started dragging me into the other bedroom of the suite and I screamed wildly for help before he clamped his hand down over my throat to stop my protestation. I must have looked like wounded prey, caught by a hungry predator and being dragged off to privacy to enjoy his dinner.

Seeing where this was headed, Jessica courageously jumped on his back and started clawing at his eyes like a ferocious animal. The blood from the wounds she was inflicting poured out over her slender fingers and down his face, only making Bill look more frightening and completely detached from reason.

With hardly any effort, he flung her across the room again and she landed with a loud crash against the fireplace, knocking the plasma TV off the wall with an explosive bang. I looked to the door again to see if some help was finally going to come to investigate the source of all of this commotion. I was hoping someone would at least complain about our screams now that Hoyt left the door wide open compromising the sound-proofing in the room.

I started to lose consciousness from the strangle hold Bill was using to pull me into the bedroom, but I could swear just as my vision went black that I saw a tall figure in the doorway. "Eric," I managed to choke out with my last breath, cursing my wishful thinking again for the fleeting moment I was taunted by the promise of salvation at the illusion of my Viking rescuer.

A/N: I don't make money from these characters or concepts, but will happily accept reviews on this story as compensation. :) Thanks!