Chapter Thirteen:
I was surprised when Eric left me at the bar and went into his office to do work before the bar opened. He didn't even bark orders at me to do a thing except just sit there. I was speechless, and partly thought that the pencil I accidentally stabbed him with had altered his mind in some way. Not that was in any way possible, but since when did Eric actually become somewhat nice?
When the bar was opened and the vampires and fangbangers began to crowd into the club, I began to feel a bit claustrophobic. And a little underdressed in my shorts and t-shirt. I really needed to find something new to wear. I just seemed so out of place, and not in a good way. I saw the way that the vampires stared at me like I was vampire bait. I was just asking for trouble by sitting here, looking like I didn't belong. I shifted uneasily in my chair, reminding myself that even if a vampire did try anything, Eric would be there in a flash. He didn't want me dead. Not anytime soon anyways. He wanted to keep me around for as long as he could to use my powers for his own personal use. It wasn't exactly the greatest comfort in the world, but it was something.
I tried to distract myself by watching those in the club. But that began to get boring when everyone started looking the same, acting in the same pathetic ways. Well the humans anyways. The vampires just seemed, well...like vampires usually did. They were predators watching their pray, playing with their food. It unnerved me to no end.
I let my gaze wander over the club and to the back where Eric sat in his 'throne'. I hadn't realized what he was wearing back at the house and only noticed now how amazing he looked in simple dark jeans and a black t-shirt. His black leather jacket that I swore he never parted with, was tossed over the arm of his chair. He just gazed around at the patrons, a blank look on his face. He looked bored, that was for sure.
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing? Can I buy you a drink?" a vampire flashed me their fangs.
This was the fifth time someone asked to buy me a drink. And like the other times, I declined as nicely as I could. I mean, they were vampires but they still had feelings right? Well alright, maybe not, but I really didn't want to piss off a vampire tonight.
The vampire eventually slinked away to find another poor girl to prey on. I rolled my eyes and moved my attention back to Eric. I jumped when I realized his eyes were on me. I gulped and went to look away but stopped when I saw him curl a finger, indicating for me to join him. I sighed but slid off the bar stool. It was better if I just did what he asked and not go against his wishes. He wasn't exactly hateable at the present moment, and I was trying to keep it this way for as long as possible.
"You called." I smiled cheekily.
"Sit." He pointed at the chair angled beside his.
I raised an eyebrow but did so, not once taking my eyes off of him.
"You attracting business." He glanced at me, before gazing towards the bar. "Five customers wanted to buy you a drink and you declined."
"Oh I'm sorry, am I losing you money?" I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry I'm so heartless."
There was a curl of his lips upwards. It was tiny and barely noticeable, but there was most definitely a smile on his lips. Even if it had only been there for a split second before it returned to the blank expression it wore previously.
"Do you wish to clean the club anymore?"
"No." I answered quickly. "I don't think anyone would want to. Vampires are rather messy."
He ignored my comment and turned his head towards me. "Since you seem to attract so much business, that's what you'll be doing."
"Huh? I'm confused. I'm not taking off my clothes if that's what you mean."
He snickered. "As much as I would love for you to do so, no, that's not what I meant."
"Than what is it that you meant?" I moved to the edge of my seat. I was intrigued, I would admit that. But who wouldn't? This club got absolutely filthy after a long night of being open. I would much rather do anything else but clean this place.
"You will sit out there," he motioned towards the floor of the club with a hand. "And allow for whomever to buy you a drink."
"And what if I don't want a drink?"
"Then simply don't drink it."
"So that's all you want me to do? Just sit there like a brainless twat and let vampires buy me a drink thinking they have a chance of getting in my pants and biting me?"
Eric smirked. "That's all I want you to do."
"Okay then." I sat back in the seat, a bit amazed. "I can do that."
"Good."
"Okay."
And cue the uncomfortable silence. I was relieved however to know that I wouldn't have to clean up after all of these disgusting people. Humans and vampires alike. It couldn't be too hard to do what Eric asked. Just accept a few drinks, nothing wrong with that. And if anything did happen, Eric would be right here. Oddly enough, I felt safe about that. He would be here, watching over everything. I had nothing to fear.
"We'll need to get you something more appropriate to wear however." His eyes travelled over my body.
I blushed and wrapped my arms around myself. "Like what exactly?"
He merely waved at Pam, who was wearing some leather number that I couldn't even describe. I think I would need instructions on how to wear such a thing!
"No, absolutely not!" I shook my head wildly. "I'll do what you ask, but I just cannot wear something like that."
"And why not?"
"Because I'm not a slut! And I refuse to be a slut!" My rising voice began to get a few looks from the crown.
Eric narrowed his eyes as he grasped onto my arm roughly. I took that as a sign to quiet myself down, and huffed quietly in my seat.
"I'm not going to dress as a slut. So you can either accept that, or not have a chance to get even more business than you already have." I gave him a choice, though I wasn't exactly sure it was a wise idea.
I couldn't read the expression on his face. The one thing I hated about vampires was how unreadable most of them were. Though after a moment, it actually appeared like he was considering what I had said. Surprise surprise.
"Fine."
"Fine?" My eyebrows shut up into my hairline. "What do you mean fine?"
"I mean fine." He looked away, watching over the club with a watchful eye. "We'll go shopping tomorrow. You can pick what you want, but Pam and I will have the last say."
Well I wasn't thrilled to have to put on a show for Eric and Pam, but I suppose it wouldn't be too bad. It meant a few new pieces to add to my wardrobe, and I wouldn't have to do the disgusting cleaning job. So I shrugged, showing my compliance, and followed his gaze out across the bar. From this view, I could see everything that was going on, and I suppose that was the point of Eric sitting up here. He could keep a close watch to make sure nothing was getting out of hand while in his club. While this was a vampire bar, there were rules, both human and vampire, that needed to be abided. Eric actually was respectful of those laws and made sure there was no reason for the police to raid the place. Or, at least just not as many.
I wasn't sure how long I sat there, Eric not yet ordering me away. I actually began to feel comfortable, despite the dark looks the humans and vampires alike would throw in my direction. I suppose it wasn't every day that someone got the privilege of sitting up here beside Eric. Well believe me, it wasn't by choice!
Oh who the hell was I kidding, I would never deny a chance to be close to the Viking.
God something was wrong with me.
My cheeks were burning now as I tried to think of a reason to get as far away from Eric as I possibly could. I needed to clear my head, even for just a few minutes.
"Eric?" I asked cautiously.
He tipped his head in my direction, though he didn't give me the pleasure of staring into those striking blue eyes...
Yeah, I definitely needed to clear my head. Like now.
"Can I, er..." I gazed around the club before spotting the bathroom sign. "I have to...you know...human moment."
Eric seemed to understand as he waved his hand in the air. I took that as an indication that I could leave, and took off the stage in a hurry. I didn't bother to apologize to the immature humans and vampires that I pushed passed to get to the back hallway. Serves them right for giving me such dirty looks for absolutely no reason. Once I safely turned into the hallway, I let out a heavy sigh and began down it. I passed by the bathroom however, not having to use the facility, and instead slipped inside of Eric's office. I hadn't been in here since I had my complete meltdown a couple of days ago. I gazed at the leather couch uneasily. I had too many dark moments sitting on that couch, wishing for it all to end. I didn't want to even touch that couch, worried that the moment I did, I would go back to remembering the unwanted memories, go back to that dark place. So I settled in Eric's desk chair, knowing that he would be pissed if he caught me. I didn't care at the moment. I just needed a minute or two away from the hectic club atmosphere.
I swung around in the chair a few times, letting my mind wander into nothingness. No thoughts seemed to be travelling through my mind as I sat in the chair. I enjoyed it. I hadn't had the privilege of such a thing in far too long. It was nice to just be there, without thinking, without remembering anything, without there being a problem. I welcomed it.
"Hm, I wonder." I gazed upon Eric's desk.
My thoughts were clear; I was as relaxed as I could possibly be. I wonder...would I be able to repeat what I had been able to do the previous night? Would I still be able to wield my powers without the aid of Godric or even Eric? I couldn't depend on those two to be there all of the time. I needed to learn to do this on my own.
I twisted in the chair and sat up straight. I didn't close my eyes, wanting to see the objects move. I grabbed a couple of pens that were lying about, and laid them in the middle of the desk. Letting my thoughts continue to be clear of anything, I went through the steps that Godric laid out for me. Relax; check. Concentrate; check. Visualize; that was what I had to do. I imagined those three pens, each different in size and colour, move into the air.
And just like that, they began moving.
A grin was on my face as I watched the three pens slowly move, floating above the desk with ease. I hardly had to try that time. Maybe it was because I had already done something so simple last night, that now to do it, it felt easy. Whatever it was, I was happy. It wasn't just a fluke. I didn't need guidance. I could do this on my own. I wasn't just some weak girl who needed vampires around to save the day. That was what made this moment even more special.
"Impressive."
The voice broke my concentration and the pens fell back down onto the desk. I gazed over to the door to see Eric leaning against the doorframe. He was smirking while his arms were crossed over his chest. He walked into the room and stopped beside the chair, pointing from me to the chairs across from the desk. I rolled my eyes as I stood and moved around the wooden desk, plopping down in one of the chairs across from him. He sat in his chair, eying the pens closely before watching me.
"You're improving."
"I know." The smile was still on my lips.
"You'll need to practice. Moving larger objects will be more difficult. It will tire you out, exhaust you mentally and physically." He peered at me over his clasped hands. "You are aware of that, aren't you Elizabeth?"
"Ellie. Please for the love of Pete, call me Ellie." I groaned. What is it with everyone having to call me Elizabeth? I despised the name. It was so formal and just not me at all. My brother had been the first one to call me Ellie when I first lived with him, saying how it suited me perfectly. I was too outgoing to have the name Elizabeth. I smiled at the fond memory of my brother.
"I quite like Elizabeth." He leaned back in the chair. "But I can sense your displeasure."
"That's an understatement." I snorted, staring at him with interest. "Can I ask you something?"
He narrowed his eyes, but nodded all the same.
"What's it like with Godric?" I asked, tucking a piece of hair behind an ear. "I mean, he's your maker. What's it like with him? Is it more like love, or respect, or what?"
I was interested. I've always been fascinated with what I didn't understand. And I certainly didn't understand the bond between the maker and their child. I wanted to ask Godric, but everything had happened and I never had a chance.
"Both." He answered, a faraway look crossing his face.
He never had a chance to elaborate, if he even would have, as the door to the office opened and Chow entered. He shared a few words with Eric in a language I didn't understand before laying a bag on the table. I eyed it curiously as Eric dismissed him, leaving us alone once again. Eric reached into the bag before pulling out a Styrofoam container with the most addicting aroma.
"You never ate this evening." He pushed the container towards me. "Godric made sure to remind me that humans need food."
I never realized how starved I was until there was food in front of me. I totally forgot that I hadn't eaten earlier, even though I was hungry. Eric and I talked, and then we had that slight moment, and food was certainly not on my mind after that. But now that we were here, having another pleasant conversation, with food sitting in front of me, I couldn't resist. I ripped the top off and was happy to see a greasy hamburger and fries awaiting me. I didn't care at all that it was a heart attack waiting to happen, or that it must have looked disgusting in a vampire's perspective. I just dove right in, popping a fry into my mouth. And then another, and another. I didn't realize I had let out a small moan of delight until Eric chuckled, pulling me back down to earth. My cheeks grew red as I continued to eat in silence, happily filling my empty stomach. With no thoughts at all about what had happened over a week ago, I was able to eat with ease.
"Disgusting." Eric's nose was scrunched up as he watched me begin to eat the hamburger.
"I could say the same thing about you drinking blood." I stuck my tongue out at him after I had swallowed the most delicious bite. "Damn this is good."
Eric rolled his eyes as he reached into the bag again, pulling out a square box. I didn't pay him much attention as I focused on the food. I probably wolfed it down quicker than I should have, and must have looked like a pig and a slob to Eric. But as I looked up, wiping my mouth with a napkin, I realized he wasn't even paying me any attention. I raised an eyebrow at him as he played with what appeared to be a new cell phone. He was like a boy in a candy store, it was amusing to watch. For the amount of hate he had towards humans, he sure didn't mind adapting to the technology they created. Hypocrite.
"I believe I owe you a phone." He finally looked up when he noticed I was finished, holding out the hand grasping the cell phone.
My eyes grew wide. That was for me?
"Don't look so shocked, Ellie." He smirked as he spoke the name for the first time, causing me to shudder. My name rolled off his tongue in such a way that made me aroused all over again. His smirk widened, as if he knew what I was feeling. Oh wait; he did know what I was feeling. Damn that blood bond!
"T-thank you." I was almost at a loss for words as I took the phone into my hands, holding it as if it were the most delicate thing in the world. "How did you get it so fast? I complained to you about it on our way here."
"I had Chow fetch it." Eric shrugged, leaning back in the chair. "Along with your food. And if you happen to be done, then we can be leaving."
"Already?" I kept my eyes on my phone as I went through all the different features. It was a brand new phone, and must have cost a good amount of money to get it this quickly. I noticed Godric's number was already put into my contacts, as was Eric's phone, Pam's, and the club's. And someone named Sookie Stackhouse, though I didn't have a clue who that was. "Who's Sookie Stackhouse?"
"I have other business to attend to." Eric answered as he stood. "She's an acquaintance. If you should ever have trouble during the day, contact her."
"Okay." I raised an eyebrow.
He took the container the food was previously in and tossed it into the garbage before holding out a hand. I stared at it as if it had a disease. Since when did Eric Northman act like a gentleman? He made a sound of annoyance, and I quickly slid my hand into his. I gasped as a shock ran through me, as if someone had just sent a jolt of electricity into my body. I wasn't sure if Eric had felt it, but by the way he was staring at our hands, his eyes wide in confusion, I believe that he had.
Well that wasn't weird at all.