Chapter 10: I Do Like Confrontation

Madison showered and applied her make up, she pulled on red long-sleeved, backless dress, the dress was long and flowing and clung to her body in all the right places, it had been a particular favourite of Pam's, she put her hair up in a high untidy bun at the crown of her head and checked her appearance in the mirror, she smiled satisfied. At 8pm on the dot Eric was knocking on her door, she was sitting on the bed pulling her shoes on,

' It's open' she called, Eric walked in and paused, staring at her,

' Will I do?' she asked,

' Stand up' his voice was low and commanding, she stood up and he circled her slowly, he stopped behind her and moved closer placing an arm round her waist and resting his face against her shoulder,

' You're missing something?'

' What?'

' These' he held up his free hand, there was a small black box in his hand,

' Eric you don't have to…'

' I want to' he opened the box and there was a pair of ruby earrings, he placed them in her ears gently,

' Ready to go?' she nodded gently as he kissed her shoulder.

Eric linked his arm through hers and escorted her down, they stood in the elevator and Eric broke the silence,

' Try and stay human, a lot of the kings and queens know what you are but they wont say anything, but I cant influence all of them' Madison nodded,

' So what am I to you if they ask?'

' Tell them you're my human' she nodded again

' You look beautiful Madison'

' Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself' he smirked.

Sookie was already downstairs with Quinn, Madison smiled at him and stayed silent, she didn't want to talk to Quinn if she could avoid it, Eric had promised to fill her in on Quinn's past when the night was over. Eric and Madison walked through the crowd to meet with Sophie Anne and her entourage; other vampires stopped them repeatedly,

' Truly wonderful to see you again my dear and looking so beautiful' Russell Edgington said smiling, she was amazed to notice he was being genuine and smiled back at him as he left,

' You look lovely tonight Madison if you don't mind me saying so'

' Thank you Bill' he was glancing at Sookie constantly,

' Does she hate me Madison?'

' She doesn't hate you Bill she just can't bring herself to trust you right now' he nodded and inclined his head to Eric before walking away,

' Poor Bill' she turned to Eric surprised to hear the genuine remark come from his lips,

' I mean it, I feel bad for him, it's not all his fault'

' I get the whole doing what your maker commands thing but isn't there any way out of it'

' In a way you have to abjure them in front of witnesses and it's not easy most vampires feel a strong bond, a love for their maker, most don't want to renounce them though there are exceptions like Lorena and Bill'

' He didn't do that, it took me threatening her'

' The other part of it is that if we are severely wounded, near to the real end, our makers blood has incredible healing powers over us, some vampires are cruel enough to hate their makers but keep them close for that purpose'

' You think that's what Bill's doing?'

' No I think he just finds it hard to cut ties with the one person remaining from his human life' she nodded,

' Will Godric be here?'

' No he's in London, he hates these things, and if I had a choice I wouldn't be here'

' What would you do instead?'

' Pursue you relentlessly until you finally yielded to me' she laughed and Pam joined them, Pam wore a pale blue silky dress,

' God I hate these things, looking good sugar' she said sulkily

' We all do Pam now put on a smile and be friendly' Eric said smirking, Pam walked away muttering something in Swedish that made Eric laugh silently. They circulated the crowd and soon joined Sophie Anne,

' My dear so lovely to see you again, and looking so well'

' Thank you Sophie Anne, you look lovely as ever' the two women eyed each other with respect, Madison respected Sophie Anne for rising to her powerful position, and Sophie Anne respected Madison for her strength and abilities,

' Take care of her Eric, leave her alone and someone could swoop on her' Sophie Anne smiled but everyone sensed the hidden warning, Eric whispered in the queen's ear,

' Who told?'

' Andre is looking into it, don't worry Eric when I know you'll know' he nodded and bowed to her,

' Well look who had the nerve to show her face' they all turned to see an angry looking woman staring at Sophie Anne,

' That's Jennifer, the one bringing the case against Sophie Anne' Eric whispered in Madison's ear, Andre had stepped in front of Sophie Anne protectively,

' Jennifer, I understand you have suffered a loss but making up lies to discredit me, isn't that just a little bit petty?' Sophie Anne was smiling, she knew how to bait her opponents that was for sure,

' I will see you disgraced and tortured in court tomorrow night Sophie Anne make no mistake about that' Jennifer stormed away and Andre relaxed, he had been ready to pounce if Jennifer had attacked,

' Eventful night' Madison said to Sophie Anne who smiled at her

' I do like confrontation' Sophie Anne replied smirking.

The rest of the night passed without any more confrontations, Russell made an effort to speak with Madison alone,

' May I speak with you my dear?'

' Certainly'

' I am concerned, about you my dear'

' I'm aware someone has been talking out of the oath, it's in hand Mr Edgington'

' You saved my life that night my dear I do not forget something like that, please consider me a friend and an ally and please call me Russell?'

' I do consider you those things Russell, I can sense the genuine from the fake and I count myself lucky to have you as a friend' Russell smiled and took her hand,

' If there is ever anything I can do for you my dear just call'

' Right back at you Russell'

' Thank you my dear, now I should get back Talbot will be missing me' she inclined her head and he walked back into the crowd,

' What did he want?' Eric asked standing close behind her, and placing an arm around her waist,

' He extended the hand of mutual friendship'

' Did you accept?'

' I did'

' Was he genuine?'

' Would I have accepted if he weren't?' Eric smiled and kissed her head

' We can leave now and if I remember correctly I promised you some answers'

' I'll meet you in your room, I'm gonna change'

' No don't it should be a dress or nothing and I happen to have no dress in my hotel room' she laughed and she felt his body shake as he laughed,

' See you later Eric' she smirked as she walked away.