xoxo!

CHAPTER 10

March came and went without an inclining of the old war filled, blood splattered life that I had become accustomed to. Each morning I woke up and breathed in the fresh smell of spring, and again wondered if my entire time on Earth had not been just a dream. Terrified before I closed my eyes that I would wake up in my cell again, to meet my execution, I was grateful and ecstatic everytime I looked out the window into the Louisiana woods and realize that I had not yet woken up from my slumber.

I was paying rent to Sookie, now that I had the money to do so, and we lived a fairly normal life, and it was interesting to have someone besides my kin that I could talk to about anything, and listen to her own secrets and problems, and offer what little advice I could. I did whatever I could to please her, and to show her that I was worthy of living with. Her garden, which I had taken an interest in, was flourishing, and even in the off season, some of the flowers in her house were as large as saucers, and winked bright colors as they caught the glimpses of the sun.

Eric had tried to get a hold of me many times throughout the month, all of which I ignored. With a cell phone in my pocket, I felt that I could be reached anywhere at any time (and that is the point isn't it?) and would often leave it at home when I went out to fly at night. He had yet to come visit Sookie's house, but continued to call and leave me gruff voice messages demanding that I call him back or come to Fangtasia. I was interested in neither and hoped that my silence would suggest as such. Still, though, over a month later, he had not given up.

It was not as if I lived without vampire or other supernatural in my life for all that time. Bill came over regularly and I saw Sam on many occasions. An interesting relationship we have developed, which is where I shall leave you off.

"What're you thinkin' about?" Sam's voice was muffled by the bare skin of my shoulder, as he sat behind me. I frowned a bit, and put the cell phone that I had been checking back into my pocket, before leaning against his bare chest. We sat, just us two, on a log by a small lake. Sam was shirtless, as was I, and we were lounging in the moonlight, exchanging sweet whispers and gentle touches, as we had been for some time.

"Eric called again," I said, unable to lie. Sam growled a bit, low in his throat, and shifted so that the crook of his jeans was rested against my back. I looked up at him around my shoulder and saw that he had his face set in a defensive way. "I haven't answered in over a month." I said quickly, hoping to calm his rage.

"It's not that, it's just... It's always Eric or Bill or someone trying to mess with people I care about. Damn it, sometimes I wish all them vamps would just disappear." his frown deepened, and I reached up and pecked him lightly on the jawline.

"You shouldn't worry so much," I said softly. "Sookie and I can take care of ourselves." Sam looked down at me and his offensive demeanor immediately melted away to a soft smile. He kissed me on the forehead.

"I know," he said and let out his breath, which smelled of old wood and whiskey, against my hair, "I just don't want you to get hurt." I laughed, quietly, not able to control my bitterness, as I leaned back further into his chest, and held one of his hands in mine.

"I've been hurt." I confessed quietly, "worse than I can even think to imagine now. Don't think I'm going to let another vampire do that to me, ever again." my voice was resolved, and for a moment, I wondered if I was speaking to myself or Sam. Sam nodded, and kissed my forehead again. It was then that I thought of this shifter I was lying with, and a small sigh escaped my nostrils, as I closed my eyes and feigned dozing. I felt Sam's chin on the top of my head, and imagined he was staring out into the water. Neither of us minded silence, so we did nothing to fill it.

Sam was special, no doubt about it. When he loved he loved fiercely. When he cared, he cared with all his heart. I loved that about him. But whether or not I loved him was a whole different question, and I was not sure either of us would like the answer. I tried to, I honestly truly did, but images of Eric, Fae, everything always ran through my head whenever I thought of it. I could not admit to myself that I was waiting for Eric to show up and speak to me like someone civilized, and I had no doubt in my mind that if he swept me off my feet, I would follow. I was selfish, and I hated it. I was comfortable with Sam, but at the same time, I felt that he needed to find someone of his own kind, because I could never see his mortality working very well between us.

As usual, I leaned up and kissed him on the lips, softly, and forgot everything that I was thinking about. Sam's hand wrapped around my neck, and the two of us pressed our chests together. Sam let out a primal, soft moan and I smiled, kissing down his neck and leaving little nibbles as I did so.

Sam's hand stopped me in my tracks, and held me firmly, but I had already heard the noise. I pulled back from him quietly, and turned my eyes in the direction of the sounds that were coming from the trees. It was not an animal, no animal would make such a blundering noise, would be gasping that loud. I stood up onto my feet to meet whatever was coming, the dagger strapped to my leg under my long skirt. I reached down and grabbed it, just as I heard Sam cock his gun.

What came through the trees made me drop my dagger, stare open mouthed, and then launch myself into the arms of the one who was standing there. Sam stood there, looking utterly confused with his gun in his hand, and his head cocked to the side like a dog's. I wrapped myself around the man who had emerged, tighter than I could, never able to get close enough, until he was laughing and murmuring to me in Faerie to get off of him.

Stepping back a few steps, I looked him over, and noted how awful my Brother looked. He was bloody, thin, and weak. Even as he looked at me, the moment my hand was off of him he began to look frantic.

"Lilithiana," he said urgently, "I have to speak with you. Death is coming. We have to warn the vampires!"