Hey! Sorry I haven't written anything in over a month, work as been really heavy on me lately...& thanks for the feedback it's well appreciated.A little note.. if you read chapter 11 back when I first posted it, it has been updated since. I wasnt happy with the way I ended it so I cut it down sorry for the confusion. Now I present to you chapter 12.
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Sookie's mind seemed to be else where over breakfast this morning. She had asked me for details on last night's happenings and once I started to tell her, her attention would drift off.
"Sookie?" Her eyes snapped back to me.
"Oh...I'm sorry what were we talkin' bout again?"
"Is there something wrong? You look as if something's bothering you." She turned herself away from the window in the kitchen and sat down at the table. She was silent, I waited for her to speak.
"I'm leavin today and I don't know when I'll be comin back."
"What? Leaving? Where?"
"Las Vegas......I have to find Bill."
"But he wasn't going to Vegas..."
"I know...but if anyone knows where he is..the king would know."
"Do you think he would tell you?" She looked down at her hands, she was in doubt.
"I don't know. But I have to try somethin. I can't just sit 'round twiddlin my thumbs waitin for Bill to come back home safe. I owe him more than that. He was always there for me at the drop of a hat. He nearly died to save my life....he has been at my side willin to do whatever it took to keep me safe... even when I didn't deserve it." Tears were starting to flee from her eyes. "I have to do somethin. He needs me... I can feel it." I didn't like seeing Sookie sad.
"I will go with you."
"No! You can't. It's too dangerous." She got up and took our empty plates to the sink.
"I can get inside the minds of the vampires remember?"
"It's still too dangerous to bring you with me. I won't risk another life."
"Sookie, you are my only friend and all I have here. I will not let you go in this alone. I will help you find Bill and no is not an option." I smiled. I owed it and much more to her for doing so much for me already in the short time I've been in this world.
"Thank you." She looked as if she wanted to continue her protest but she held it back and began washing the dishes.
"When do we leave?"
" We only have enough time to get ready and pack, we'll have to get to the airport early so that we could buy our boarding passes."
"What should I pack?"
"Enough clothes for a few days and whatever else ya feel you'll need. But not too much stuff we need to travel light. I'll give you a bag you could use for ya things. But we should hurry and get ready now. It's about a four hour flight and it'd be better to get there before night."
Sookie took a shower first as I got some clothes together to pack away in a black bag that had a handle and wheels on it. I set aside what I was going to wear for the day on the bed and also grabbed some money out of the "Treasure Chest" as Sookie likes to call it. Once I heard her out of the bathroom I rushed myself into the shower and washed up quickly.
I had just buttoned my jeans when Sookie knocked at the door. "Are ya dressed?"
"Yes." She opened the door and had a large brown box in her hand.
"This just arrived for you." She handed me the large package. Her face looked troubled.
"Me? Are you sure?" She nodded as I placed it down on the bed and looked it over. It was addressed to me. "But I don't know of anyone who'd send me anything."
"I do.." she spoke under her breath, forgetting that my sense of hearing is stronger than any humans. I turned my head towards her. "Well...aren't ya going to open it?" She forced a smile across her face.
I looked back down at the box and ripped off the tape that sealed it shut. I lifted open the lids which revealed another box. But this one was a glossy pink ,wrapped in a black bow. I pulled the pink box out and slid off the fabric bow that held the lid shut. I removed the top and found a note attached to a very exotic looking flower resting on very thin white paper. I picked up the flower and read the hand written note.
"I do hope you try harder on keeping this one safe. - E." My heart fluttered as I took in the sweet scent of the flower. A smile lit up across my face. I placed the flower down and lifted off the thin paper that revealed the dress that I ruined the night I was attacked in the woods. I pulled it out and Sookie moved to my side.
"Wow, that dress is...... beautiful."
"This is the one that I wore the other night...the one that got ruined...He sent me a brand new one...of my own." Sookie took the bottom of the dress in her hand and looked it over closely before moving her attention back onto the box.
"There's more in the box for you.." I laid the dress gently down on the bed and pulled out two smaller boxes and one rectangular box. I opened the larger one out of the three first and saw a pair of black heals. They looked a lot like the one's Pam allowed me to wear. But these looked more elegant, and expensive. I was afraid to even touch them. Then I opened the two smaller boxes that held jewelry that matched the dress perfectly.
"Looks like ya really caught his attention." She sounded upset. I looked at her as she picked up the flower that held the note.
"You are angry.."
"Angry? No, I have no reason to be angry. It's just that......well...this is just so typical Eric. He's trying to get in ya head...get you to trust him. Ya really should send this stuff back. He'll only think he has a pull over you if you keep it." I looked down at the gifts, I didn't want to send any of it back. Not even the earrings that I can't even wear until I have them pierced. But maybe she was right....I shouldn't keep any of it. And just like that, my heart sunk back to place and the smile faded.
"You're right...I'll send it back when we return." I started to place everything but the dress back into the box it all came in.
"Trust me...it's for your own good." I nodded in agreement. "Now we should get going . The next flight to Vegas is in two hours. Are ya ready?" I nodded as I slowly closed the package shut.
"Great, let's get going then." She left the room. I picked up the flower and took in its scent once more before grabbing my bag and making my way to the car where Sookie was already outside waiting. Once our things were loaded into the car we were on the road.
We made it to the airport in no time. I was at an awe walking inside the large building. I've never seen an airplane let alone be inside of an airport so everything seemed to catch my attention. The people, the noise.....
"Daniella! Please don't walk off. We don't have time to get lost in here. Here's our boarding passes." she handed me a envelope. "We have to get to gate 340 C." She started to walk pulling her bag along with her and I followed close behind, trying not to get distracted by anything. We had to go through a security check point which took up most of our time waiting in the line to go through. When we finally reached our gate the flight was already boarding.
"Boarding Pass and ID please." A woman wearing a blue uniform stated as Sookie and I approached to board.
"Sookie... I don't have ID." She looked at me worried.
"I'm sorry Miss but without proper identification, I can not allow you on this flight." Sookie took out her ID.
"But she's with me, I have mine..can't you just let her on?" She showed the woman her ID along with boarding pass.
"Like I just said...I can not let her on this flight without the proper identification." The woman looked agitated.
"I don't know what we should do now." Sookie looked back at me.
"I do.." I sighed. There was only one thing left for me to do and as much as I was against it, I didn't have much of a choice if I didn't want to let Sookie down.
I walked up closer to the woman and gently took hold of her wrist. I was immediately in her mind before she could struggle out of my grasp. " I've already shown you my ID and so now you will step aside and allow us onto this flight." The woman nodded and took a step to the side out of our way. I released my grip on her and looked back at Sookie who seemed in disbelief. " Come on let's go."
"Thank you for choosing Vegas Airways, I do hope you enjoy your flight." She smiled as we made our way past her to the plane's entrance.
"You've never tried that glamorin on me....have you?" she asked as we pulled out bags along through the loud tunnel.
"No."
"Good." We made it to the entrance of the plane where we were greeted by another uniformed woman.
"Thank you for flying with us. Please take your seats the plane will be taking off shortly." She smiled.
The plane was packed with people, it was a challenge walking down the isle to find our seats. Sookie put our bags in an over head compartment and had me take the seat next to the small window while she took the one next to me.
Looking out the window I could see the wing of the plane. The high pitched sound of its engine was making my stomach turn. I felt my nerves build up as the pace of my heart started to pick up momentum.
"Are you okay?" Sookie studied my face.
" I don't know. I feel nervous..." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"Its okay..its normal. A lot of people are afraid to fly, especially when its their first time. Just keep your eyes closed and breathe."
"I feel like my heart's about to explode."
"You just need your mind on something else...Ya know I still didn't get the story on what happened with Hoyt last night....you could tell me bout that..." I opened my eyes and looked at her. "Com'on I'm sure somethin interestin happened. I want details." her smile widened. I took in another deep breath trying to calm myself down as I thought back to the night before. I found myself not wanting to talk about Hoyt at all...my lips wanted another name to roll off of them.
"Well we ate...and watched a movie together.."
"And?"
"That pretty much sums it up."
"That's it? Yall didn't talk or nothin? Not even a kiss?" She looked disappointed.
"Well....he tried to, but for me, it just felt awkward. I couldn't do it. It just didn't feel...right."
"Not exactly how you imagined it huh?"
"No." If she only knew exactly how I did imagine my first kiss, I'm sure she would have a huge objection to it.
"So what happened after that?" I didn't want to tell her about Eric stopping by only because I know how upset she gets whenever his name is even mentioned. Which to my luck I didn't have to bring up his name just yet, the plane started moving forward and I felt my heart jump out of my chest. I quickly shut my eyes and tried my best to calm myself down as I gripped the arm rests.
"Is it too late to change my mind and go back?" I asked Sookie in between breaths. She laughed.
"It is."
As the plane took off, my stomach dropped and curled within itself. Sookie took my hand and held into it tight it took all my focus not to invade her head, for that I was grateful. It took the attention off the panic attack my body wanted to have and got me to concentrate on one thing...staying out of Sookie's mind. Once we were airborne and stable, my stomach returned to its normal state and Sookie let go of my hand.
"Thank you" I smiled
"You're welcome. Feelin any better?" I nodded then looked out the window at the clouds we were now soaring over and the perfect blue sky and sun a head.
"This is beautiful."
"It is isn't it...can't wait 'til we get to Vegas. I've never been there before. I bet all the lights are just amazin at night." I turned my head to look at Sookie who was staring out the window as well.
"If you've never been there before, how are we going to find this king? Do you know where to look?"
"Well, not exactly but he pretty much runs everythin now a days. I'm sure we'll be able to track him down easy once we get there. The place is loaded with vampires, they'd surely know where their king is."
"But would they be so willing to tell a human where their king is?" she looked at me thoughtfully as if she really didn't think this whole plan of hers through.
"Well if not, then...I guess that's where havin you here would come in handy" she faintly smiled.
"Have you ever met this vampire King before?"
"I have."
"He knows you then....so getting information on Bill shouldn't be that hard right?"
"Well...I can only hope it'd be as easy as I'd like.....He isn't exactly Mr. Nice Vampire. But I saved his life once, he owes me." The expression on her face didn't make any of it sound too promising.
"I have to be honest...vampires don't really come across to me as something that would agree to owing a human anything." I may not know much of anything about vampires, but her lack of response confirmed my statement.
"Weither he tells me himself or not, we're going to find out where Bill is." That, she sounded confident on, which was in it's own way reassuring.
"We'll find him." I smiled
Landing was just as intense as taking off but Sookie did her best to keep me calm. We got off the plane in one piece with our bags. The air felt dry passing through my lungs while the sun was giving off more heat than I was used to. We got a car to take us to a hotel where we got a room with two small beds on the 17th floor. I realized while staring down at the ground below from our over sized window, my body doesn't react well to extreme heights. I laid myself down on one of the beds covered in a hideous floral pattern. It would be a few hours before sun down, so Sookie and I decided that it'd be best to take a nap to re-charge ourselves.
It didn't take long for Sookie to fall asleep. For me, sleep would be a challenge. The walls, floor and ceiling in the hotel were very thin. I could hear everything from the couple fighting down the hall to a worker cleaning above us. The city was incredibly loud and busy. I don't know how anyone could stay here for more than a few days without going insane. I tried my best to close my eyes and block out the noise but even with a pillow over my head, it was just too loud. After an hour I gave up and decided to take a look around what I was told was a casino on the main floor. I left Sookie a note so that she wouldn't worry on where I disappeared to. It took me a minute to figure out how to work the elevator to get me down to the main floor.
The casino was filled with machines that made all types of noise with people at them looking as if they were in a trance. I walked the dark red carpet that covered the floor, squeezing past packs of people standing around tables or machines. The noise turned out to be nothing compared to the stench of money and alcohol mixed with human body odors. How could anyone anticipate this as a place of vacation? I had thought vacations were supposed to be filled with relaxation and peace. This place was neither. I sat at a table and watched as a few men played a game involving numbered small pieces of thick paper, "Texas Hold'em" it read on a sign above the table. I laid my hands on a few humans only out of pure curiosity. Most of all of them were filled with the same thoughts of greed and sex. I tried to pick up on the game and how it was played, it didn't seem too complicated from the mind of an older man who's been playing the game for over twenty years. He sat along side me waiting to join in once the hand in progress was finished. He was so focused on the faces of the men he'd soon be playing that he didn't notice my hand pressed against his arm lightly. And I was so focused on learning how to play that I didn't notice someone taking the seat at my other side, until they spoke.
" Do you play much?" a raspy voice filled my ear and broke my attention. I turned my head to find the green eyes of a younger man smiling at me. He had some type of black metal jewelry coming out of his face. One hugged the side of his lower lip and the other poked out from his eyebrow. He looked like he forgot to groom himself the past day or so. His medium length straight brown hair was practically in his eyes, I watched as he used his fingers to comb it back out of the way. His facial hair looked thin and uneven, but yet fit his face perfectly. He had a smile stretched out across his face that showed off a dimple. He asked his question once more incase I didn't hear him through all the noise the first time. I just shook my head in reply.
"Me neither......I'm not very good at it to be honest, but that doesn't stop me from betting my life away. You just never know when you're going to get lucky. If you think about it, all it takes is that one....perfect... hand, you know. Just one...and you could be on top of the world...." His smile was becoming extremely contagious. "I'm Mike by the way." He extended his hand and I didn't hesitate to meet it with mine. His wrists were covered in different bracelets, mostly black leather and silver.
"Daniella"
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from?"
"Bon Temps...Louisiana. How about you?"
"Every where to be exact but as of lately, I've been here."
"You live here?"
"Yup, sin city...home sweet home." His tone gave me the impression that he wasn't too happy with staying in this city. "Could I buy you a drink or something?"
"No thank you. I'm not thirsty." I quickly answered and he let out a light chuckle.
"Who says you have to be thirsty in order for a stranger to buy you a drink." He swiftly raised his hand and signaled a waitress close by. The waitress quickly responded and was blocking my view of the game table a few feet in front of us.
"What can I get for you Mikey?" The brunette in an extremely small fitting uniform batted her eyes at him and smiled widely.
"Lexi could you bring my new friend here a cranberry and vodka and I'll take a Jameson on the rocks." She looked me over with piercing eyes.
"Sure thing baby, can I get you anything else?" She moved herself in closer to him.
"Nope, that'll be all. Thanks Lex." I watched as she turned on her high red heals and stomped off. "So, what brings you to Las Vegas?"
"Business I guess....I'm helping a friend find something." He moved his chair over closer towards me.
"Really now? What exactly are you looking for? I might be able to assist you since I do know this city like the back of my hand." He showed off his award winning smile again.
"It's more like who than what actually."
"Ahh I see. Well that might be a little tricky since this city is filled with people. Most of which get so wasted, they can't even remember their own names much less where they are." Just then the waitress came back with her attitude and the drinks on a tray. She placed his down gently in front of him and then mine as she looked me in the eye, she then knocked the glass over, causing the drink to spill on me. I felt the shock of the coldness run down from my chest to my lap. The white t-shirt I was wearing was completely soaked and now a shade of pink where the drink fell. Same went for my jeans. Mike jumped up from his seat.
"Lexi! What the fuck!? Are you outta your fuckin' mind?" He shouted at her.
"It was an accident, honestly Mikey bear." She pouted her lip and batted her eyes at him. He snatched a handful of napkins from her front pouch and began patting me down. I quickly stopped him.
"It's okay, I got it." I took the napkins from his hand and tried to dry myself off.
"Now you could go get her a club soda." He ordered her.
"No..It's okay. I should be getting back to my friend anyway." I got up from my seat and interrupted him before he sent the waitress off again.
"Oh come on, don't leave just yet. At least let me buy you a new shirt or something."
"Why don't you just cut to the chase and take her back to your room. Let the crack whore suck your dick for drugs since that's what you were planning on doing anyway." she snorted.
"What the fuck is your problem woman!?" He was now shouting in her face. I decided to disconnect myself from this whole situation that I didn't want to be apart of in the first place and started to walk away.
"Bye." The waitress smirked as I started to leave.
"Shit..." I heard him speak under his breath. I tried to push through the crowds of people. Seemed like there were more than when I arrived. "Hey! Wait!" I heard him shout from behind me but I continued to move forward. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder pulling me back around. "Wait...please... I am incredibly sorry about all that."
"It's okay, it wasn't your fault. I just really need to get back to my friend before she worries. It was nice meeting you Mike." I turned and continued to walk. He followed right along side me.
"How long will you be here for?"
"I don't know, hopefully not much longer." I heard him let out a light laugh.
"Not having a good time I suppose." I glanced over at him, he was amused by his observation. "Listen, why don't you let me change that for you. Tonight, let me take you out, show you how to grab Vegas by the balls." I stopped myself from walking.
"By the what?"
"Let me show you a good time tonight and if by tomorrow you don't feel like you've made the most out of your vacation...well then you'll never have to see my face again."
"I'm not here on vacation..."
"Right...right business, I remember. But either way, this is Vegas. The one place you're allowed to let loose, run amuck, cause a ruckus....make out with a random stranger and do it all again the next day." He didn't have to try very hard to be convincing. There was no denying how incredibly charming he was, along with being extremely good looking. He was a few inches taller than me and although he wasn't as broad shouldered or as muscular as Eric, you could still see his muscle tone through his tight fitted, blue and black plaid button down shirt.
"Daniella! There ya are!" My focus snapped back to the world around me and saw Sookie making her way towards us. "What the hell happened to ya?"
"I got bored and wanted to check things out down here.." I answered.
"No I mean what the hell happened to your shirt?" I looked down and remembered I was still soaked and stained.
"That would be my fault....a drink spilled on her." Mike explained.
"And who are you?" Sookie had a hint of an attitude in her question and eyed him as if had wronged her.
"I'm Mike..." He extended his hand to her and she ignored his gesture. He pulled back his hand. "..please to meet you too..."
"We need to get going." Sookie took my arm and pulled me with her in a haste.
"Sookie what's wrong?"
"Sookie? Sookie Stackhouse?" Mike asked. Sookie stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"How do you know my name?"
"You're quite famous around here...you're all Quinn seems to talk about."
"You know Quinn?"
"Everyone around here knows Quinn...he's quite the attraction...Man is he gonna have kittens when finds out you're here." I looked at Sookie who didn't appear to be too happy. "Would you like me to take you to him?"
"No! Quinn is NOT to know I am here, understand me?" she snapped at him.
"Not really..."
"It would just be a lot easier on him if he didn't know. Please...not a word to him." she was pleading now.
"Fine..fine my lips are sealed...but only under one condition." He smiled.
"Great...what's that?" Sookie rolled her eyes.
"If your friend Daniella here would allow me to take her out tonight."
"She can't tonight....we have something very important to take care of. Besides....we're a package deal. Where ever she goes I go." She quickly answered.
"Okay then...even better.....how about tomorrow night then? I will be hosting a party at the Taj Mahal. It would be my honor if you ladies would come and join me as my personal guests."
"We'll think about it." She answered.
"I really hope you do.....until tomorrow then." He gave a slight nod, then turned back to walk through the crowd.
"I get a bad feelin about him..." Sookie softly spoke as we started walking back towards the elevator.
"Did you read his mind?"
"I tried to...but he kept pushing me out, like he knew what I was before you even mentioned my name. I don't trust him."
"Do you think he's not human?" We got on the elevator and Sookie pressed the button for the 17th floor.
"I don't know...it didn't seem like he wasn't."
I didn't get the sense that Mike wasn't human, nor did I get any kind of bad feeling from him. I was beginning to think that maybe Sookie was a bit paranoid. Or maybe I wasn't paying attention much to what I should of, but how could I have paid any attention to anything but that captivating smile of his....not to mention his eyes. I cut off the thought before my mind started to wonder again. We got back to our room and I noticed that night fall filled the sky out the window.
"Did you find out where we'd find the king?"
"No, but I am sure it won't be hard. There were vampires all 'round down there. We should get started once you change your clothes."
"Sookie can I ask you something?" I lifted my bag and placed it down on a bed and pulled out a clean shirt and pants.
"I think I already know what ya goin to ask but go 'head and ask away."
"Who's Quinn?" She slightly laughed to herself. I guess it was because she already knew I was going to bring it up.
"We were together once."
"What happened?"
"It was wonderful at first....but I guess they always are. When we first met we just clicked you know. I was happy with him but then out of no where things changed. I guess I just realized that there were one too many things he would always put before me."
"So it ended badly? I mean is that why you don't want to see him or him to even know you're here?" I was surprised she was telling me so much. Usually she doesn't want to talk about anything involving her personal life.
"I guess, I didn't want it to. I wanted to keep him close as a friend but he chose to make it difficult. Now if Eric ever finds him within a few feet of me he swore he'd kill him."
"Would he?"
"I don't know...but I wouldn't put it pass him." I decided to leave it at that since I didn't want to waste the little time we had. I got myself cleaned up and changed in the bathroom while Sookie waited watching some television. I reapplied some more make up to try and cover the marks on my face and then I was ready to meet the Vegas lights.
"Now just stay close to me and let me do the talkin okay?"
"Got it." We left the room and got back onto the elevator that was already occupied by a young couple who looked too involved with each other to notice anyone else walking in. We got to the ground floor and I heard Sookie suck in a quick breath and grabbed my wrist to pull me back from leaving. The couple pushed themselves past us and walked through the open door which was now being held open by a man in a black suit who looked like he could be a model if he was tall enough. His curly black hair was pulled back to a low pony tail which showed of his pale skin. I watched as his lips formed a huge grin.
"Well, well, well.... Miss Stackhouse, what a wonderful surprise this is... Or should I be calling you Mrs. Northman?"
