Here's chapter 14, enjoy! Thanks again to my readers, reviewers, and beta-RubySun03!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly.
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I fell hard on to my back. Lorena stood over me with a smug look on her face. What a bitch. I staggered to my feet, but before I could get my bearings she unleashed another hit on me. I stumbled back, but now with adrenaline coursing through my veins I was moving faster. My brain finally caught up to what was happening and I was able to block Lorena's next punch. I moved to jab her in the side however, with her speed, Lorena was able to avoid it. She moved to kick me, but I blocked it. Caught off guard by her first attack, Lorena hit me square in the jaw which knocked me for a loop.
Using my incapacitated state against me, Lorena doled out several attacks. My body reacted instinctively by throwing my arms up to protect myself. Her barrage ceased momentarily, which I used to my advantage. I threw a couple of quick, effective jabs at Lorena. Eric's blood gave my punches an extra boost, one of which grazed Lorena's jaw. Her razor sharp fangs scraped across my knuckles causing a stream of blood to come flowing out. I cringed as I held my wounded right hand in my left. Lorena licked her lips at the taste of my blood.
"I now understand why Bill only fed from you. Your blood is quite delectable," Lorena said with a bloody smile.
It made my skin crawl. I had backed my way underneath one of the floodlights. Lorena had disappeared into the defined shadows cast by the lights. My heart raced. I threw my mental net out, trying to find the void. But as soon as I found her, she was already in front of me. She hurled me against the cinder-block wall of the bar. The impact was so hard, I bounced back and landed on the ground. I had the wind knocked out of me again. With her vampire speed, Lorena appeared over me again. But this time she was much closer and with the same haughty look she had when I first saw her earlier this evening.
She pinned me to the ground by the shoulders. I fought to kick her away, but it was all in vain. My eyes scrambled to find something that could help. To the left of me, I spied the remnants of a wooden crate. I stretched my arm as far as I could to reach the would-be-stake, my fingers just touching the edge. Lorena lowered her head to mine.
"It's a shame no one will taste your succulent blood after tonight," she said triumphantly.
"The real shame here is that Bill won't ever see you again," I hissed.
I then shut my eyes and shoved the jagged end of the stake into Lorena's abdomen. It went in like a hot knife into butter. I heard her gasp in surprise. I flinched when I felt the splatter of cold vampire remains hit my body. It was the second time I was caught in the middle of a vampire staking and beaten in a bar parking lot. Two times too many.
"I didn't think Sookie had it in her to kill someone," Pam said surprised, somewhere to my right.
Opening my eyes, I found Eric and Pam hovering over me. Their fangs were fully visible. Eric kneeled down next to me and helped me to sit up.
"Are you alright," Eric asked.
"I feel really, really gross," I groaned, "and everything hurts."
My right hand was throbbing and it hurt to breathe. I ached all over.
"Other than that?"
"I'm just peachy-keen," I replied, "and I kinda hate you right now."
Eric chuckled, "And why's that?"
"You're supposed to be able to sense what's happening to me at all times. You were a little slow on the uptake," I said, a bit snarky.
"I'm sorry I wasn't out here in time," Eric apologized, genuinely.
"Not enough," I replied.
I could tell he was heartfelt with the apology, but right now I wanted to hear something more empathetic. Call me selfish, it would make me feel better though.
"My dearest Sookie, lover and lifemate, the next time your evil ex-boyfriend's maker comes to attack you, I'll be sure to be there to protect you from any harm. Your goddess-like body will not suffer even the smallest of scratches," he said with a smirk.
"You're an ass," I sighed, but with the best smile I could muster up.
"You love my ass," Eric grinned.
"Can we stop talking about Eric's ass and get Sookie inside?" Pam piped up.
"I think that's a good idea," I agreed.
Eric nodded, "As do I."
Eric scooped me up and took me back inside the bar, with Pam trailing right behind him. We went into the storage room and over to where the employee bathroom was. There was a small, very basic shower in there. I had used it the last time to wash off staked-vampire parts as well. But this time was going to be a lot harder. I didn't know if I had the energy to stand. Pam started the water and Eric lowered me on to a folding chair.
"Will you be alright by yourself?" Eric asked.
I could hear the concern in his voice. I nodded, "Yeah. Pam do you mind staying just in case though?"
"Not at all Sookie," she replied.
"Ok, thanks," I said, giving her a weak smile, "Go finish up whatever you were doing and I should be done by then."
"I'll be done shortly," Eric said.
Pam helped me peel off my clothes. She offered to bag them so I could take them home, but I told her to toss them. Miraculously, my boots made it through unscathed. A vampire flake here or there, but that was it. I carefully stepped into the shower and for a good ten minutes just allowed the water to run down my body. Grabbing the soap, I gently scrubbed away anything else that still stuck to me. On top of hurting, every one of my cuts and scrapes stung and burned under the hot water and soap. Once I knew I was clean, I shut off the water. And before I could ask, Pam's white hand stuck in from behind the curtain to hand me a towel.
I toweled off my body and then my hair. Wrapping the towel around my body, I came out of the shower. Pam was sitting on the folding chair when she handed me something. It was a pair of very lacy, pale blue bikini-style panties. I gave her a look, to which Pam just smiled.
"I figured you'd want something to wear," she shrugged.
Well, they were better than nothing. So, I slipped them on. Pam then handed me a button down shirt. I carefully slid it on and buttoned it partially. I was swimming in the shirt, so I figured it must have been one of Eric's. Although I still ached, I felt ten times better than I had before.
With my boots in hand, Pam and I left for Eric's office.
Once there, she motioned for me to sit. I opted for the red sofa that was catty cornered from the desk, it sat in the middle of the room. Pam perched herself on one of the chairs in front of Eric's desk. Eric came in moments later. He and Pam shared a glance, trading some sort of wordless conversation. Pam promptly left as Eric came over to the couch. He sat down on the edge of the sofa.
"I want to check your injuries," he said calmly.
I nodded as I sat up. He gently caressed my face as he ran his forefinger along my jaw. Undoing the few buttons, Eric ran his fingers along my side, I could see the bruises already. His eyes continued the length of my torso, but they soon stopped when they saw the lace and frills. He chuckled, "I didn't know you were a lingerie kind of girl."
"They're Pam's," I said, blushing.
He smiled, "You look lovely in them."
"Oh, thank you," I said, still a healthy shade of red I'm sure.
Eric took my right hand into his and inspected it. He noted all of the little details. Tenderly, he laid my hand down and looked up at me.
"We don't have to call Dr. Ludwig like I first suspected," Eric said. He seemed relieved, "But, I want you to have some of my blood."
I buttoned the shirt back up, "Just a little, I don't like having so much of your blood in such a small amount of time."
"Fair enough," Eric said acceptably, "It can only strength our bond, though."
"Yeah, but I'd rather not go crazy either," I replied.
Eric grinned, "Let's go home first."
"Do you mind taking me to my Gran's house? I'd just like to sleep in my own bed tonight," I said sleepily, "But, you're more than welcome to stay. You can use the hidey hole I have in the spare bedroom."
"You thought I'd leave you alone tonight?" he asked, looking surprised.
"No, but I didn't want you to think that you're not welcome to stay after I went to sleep," I rebutted.
"I see," he replied, "I assume my keys are somewhere in the parking lot."
"Yup."
"I'll send Chow or someone out later to find them." he said, more to himself.
"How are we going to get home?" I asked.
"Fly," Eric said with a smile.
"Uh....really?" I asked.
"Why not?"
Why not indeed. It's not like he would drop me or something like that. It just seemed like a strange option, I suppose. And I was a little surprised that he was willing to leave his Corvette. I figured Eric was the kind of guy that thought of his car as his child. And he just might, but it's good to know that I matter more.
"Alright, let's go," I said after a long minute.
"There's a jacket in the closet," Eric said as he stood up, "It should be long enough."
"Ok, thanks," I said.
Carefully getting up, I made my way over to the closet. I found the coat Eric referred to, it was a long wool, winter jacket. I guessed it was one of his human minions' since Eric had no need for it. I slipped it on and buttoned it all the way down. It ended mid-calf, the wool at the end of the coat tickled my skin. I sat myself down in Eric's chair and pulled my boots on. He was waiting patiently by the door.
Eric and I left his office, we said a short goodbye to Pam. We left through the employee's entrance and the events from earlier came flooding back. Lorena, or what was left of her, sat flaking away. Ick. Eric turned his back to me and motioned for me to hop on. I did. Wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders, Eric held onto my legs which were wrapped around his waist. And with a little jump we were flying off into the night.
I held onto Eric for dear life as we flew across the starlit sky. The view was beautiful, the light from the towns dotted across the dark landscape. We were above even the tallest trees, it was enthralling. I felt so free as I inhaled the crisp fresh air. I laid my head against Eric's back.
"I take it you like the view," Eric observed as he looked back at me.
"M hmm, I do. I'm glad I lost your keys," I said with a laugh.
Eric chuckled. I love the sound of his laugh. It reverberated across the open sky.
"You have a wonderful ability," I commented, "I have always wondered what it was like to fly."
"I'm glad I could provide you with the opportunity," Eric replied.
He moved his head to kiss my fingertips.
I saw the familiar clearing in the woods surrounding my house. We descended slowly by the old willow and gently landed. Eric kept me on his back as he walked up to my back porch. He opened the screen door and headed directly for my bedroom. Eric set me down on my bed. I shucked the coat and tossed it on to the floor. Eric sat down next to me, causing the mattress to dip slightly.
"Since you're taking only a small amount of my blood, it'll take you longer to heal," Eric reminded me.
"I know. I'm actually glad it does. I mean, healing so quickly makes me feel inhuman," I said with a grimace.
"I understand," Eric assured me.
Although, I don't believe he actually did. It nice to not have that vampire pointedness of not being human. I couldn't blame Eric for not understanding if he didn't. He had been alive for a thousand years now, it's easy to forget.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said with a nod.
Eric's fangs came out as he brought his wrist up to his mouth. And without flinching, Eric sunk his fangs into his skin. Removing his fangs from his wrist, a trickle of blood sluggishly came flowing out. I put my lips to his wrist, and I drank the thick, but slightly sweet blood. After a bit, I figured I had enough and let go of Eric's arm.
"You should rest now," Eric advised.
"I think so too," I agreed, "But I want to change real quick."
Already I felt better. I didn't ache as much and I felt stronger. I went in and out of the bathroom. I finally saw what the damage was. My face was more or less spared. A few scrapes and a couple bruises, but that was it. My body was a different story though. I definitely felt a lot better than I looked.
I then headed over to my drawer and pulled out my sleep shirt. I started to unbutton the shirt when Eric approached and took over. He slowly, but nimbly undid my shirt. Sliding the shirt off, I pulled my comfy sleep shirt on. I had more of a pep in my step as I meandered my way over to my bed.
Pulling the blue, flowered bedspread back, I slipped under the covers. Eric climbed in on the other side after kicking off his shoes. I snuggled close to him. He wrapped his arms protectively around me.
"Are you going to get in trouble with the Magister?" I asked.
"Over what?" Eric replied.
"Lorena. She died...for good in your area," I said.
"No, because I wasn't the one who staked her. Although, I would have liked to," Eric said with a devious smile, "The only obligation I may have is to pay tribute to Lorena's maker. If her maker can be located."
"That's good, I guess," I mumbled.
"It is. Tribute is usually significantly cheaper than the fines for staking a fellow vampire," Eric agreed.
I yawned, "Just don't turn someone. I can't deal with another Jessica."
"Believe me, neither can I," Eric chuckled.
"Pull the stuff out of the closet in the spare bedroom. I'll put it back in the morning," I said, becoming sleepy.
"I will," he assured me.
The last thing I remembered was feeling a light kiss on my cheek.
I awoke the following morning, a little sore but that's about it. I stretched out and turned to see the time. 10 AM, not too bad. Sitting up, I remembered that Eric was in the hidey hole. I got out of bed and went to the spare bedroom. I moved all of the things back into the closet, making it look all normal again.
I made my way to the kitchen and cooked up some eggs and toast. I ate my breakfast and with my second cup of coffee I headed out on to the porch. I had the old afghan wrapped around me to keep the late morning chill away.
My day was quiet, which I enjoyed immensely. I read outside for a bit and watched some TV. And before I knew it, dusk had settled on to Bon Temps. I had made sure that I removed all of the stuff from the closet. I heard the trap door open and Eric shuffle out. He came waltzing out and over to me. I was curled up on the recliner. He kissed me and then headed over to the couch. Eric stretched out on the couch, laying back with his arms tucked behind his head.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Getting there, thanks to you," I said with a smile.
"Anything for you, lover," Eric said sincerely.
My smile faltered when I felt a familiar void approaching my house. Eric must have sensed him too, because we were both on our feet in a matter of seconds. Eric was by the front of the door and ready to go. Fangs out and his muscles tense. I pulled on his arm slightly, indicating I wanted to answer the door. I only partially opened it, keeping Eric obscured. Although, we both knew he'd know Eric was here.
"Bill," I said flatly.
"Sookie," he said breathlessly.
"Yes, hello Bill," Eric said, coming into view.
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Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Drop me a review if you feel like. I enjoy hearing from you guys! Until next time. :)
Forever Is Never Forever.