Chapter 14

Eric saw no signs of whatever was going on between Russell and the King of Nevada. Of course, they would never bring their little disagreement out into the open. A disappearance here, a disappearance there might occur, but nothing that would arouse the notice of the magister or The Authority. A reshuffling of political power in the vampire hierarchy would be something that they would not ignore. He also wondered how Russell planned on taking over Sophie-Anne's kingdom without drawing down The Authority's interest. It was no secret that Sophie-Anne had refused his advances, nor was she likely to accept a marriage proposal anytime soon. The Authority might take a dim view of a hostile take-over, at least, not one that they hadn't sanctioned. But, Russell had been around for three thousand years and the ruling body of The Authority had only held sway for a few hundred. Perhaps, Russell believed himself to be above them. His musings were interrupted when Seren arrived.

When he gazed upon her, he knew that she was trying to annoy him. She was dressed like a Japanese schoolgirl complete with plaid shirt, black knee-high socks and blazer. She looked all of fourteen. He hoped that they would not get raided tonight. For, no matter how much a masterpiece of forgery her fake ID was, it wouldn't fool anyone in that getup.

She bowed, but couldn't completely conceal the smirk on her face. He wondered why she even bothered with the pretense. There was something all too familiar in her attitude and it irritatingly reminded him of Russell's attitude the other night. They both thought that they owned him. It would start World War III to bring up the fact of how much alike she and Russell were. There was a reason for that and it was obvious to Eric. Seren had been instructed and was being groomed to take over as Russell's second-in-command. He would never have devoted so much attention to her and let her into his inner circle had it been otherwise. He wasn't sure if she was close to Russell's heart or not. He could not read Russell's emotions around the girl because the King was too good at keeping his true thoughts concealed. Russell had made a mistake by sending his protege to him. She was untested and still vulnerable and she had one serious flaw which was her overconfidence. Of course, she gotten that from Russell as well. He didn't have any intention of giving her back to Russell. And no matter how much she charmed him and caused him to like her, he wasn't not planning on letting her go free, either. She was much too valuable. And dangerous.

"Do you have to wear that?" complained Eric.

"Don't you like it?" asked Seren. "I could sit in your lap and call you Daddy."

"No, you won't," said Eric.

"It is tonight. Have you felt anything?" she asked, all business.

"Yes," said Eric.

"She will come to you. We need to prepare," said Seren.

"What now?" said Eric, in irritation.

"Have I led you astray, yet?" asked Seren.

"I was planning on being caught in flagrante delicto with one of the dancers when she arrives," said Eric.

Seren rolled her eyes, "Let me guess, Yvetta? This is why you need me. While the sight of you banging that skank away like a freight train might reduce the other...ladies that come here into a puddle of jelly, it won't do anything to endear you to Sookie. She has to be handled more delicately. You must prove yourself worthy."

"This is ridiculous," muttered Eric. "This is me that we are talking about. She should yield to me."

"How long has it been since you tricked her into drinking your blood? Have your usual tactics been working for you?" demanded Seren. "Your lack of progress with this human speaks for itself."

"How do you know that I tricked her?" asked Eric.

"Because it's obvious that she would never willingly drink your blood. I'm sure that you expected to just flash those baby blues of yours and take her away from Bill, didn't you?" asked Seren.

Eric didn't not reply and Seren said, "Bill has one overwhelming advantage over you."

"And what's that?" asked Eric.

"Sookie loves him," replied Seren.

Seren stepped up to the dais and walked behind him. She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned into his ear.

"She intrigues you because of her gift. But, you need to be honest with yourself and admit that is but one thing about her that interests you. You have glimpsed something that you don't understand, but you know that you want it. You need to touch her, taste her, and make her yours. But, the only way to conquer her is by surrendering yourself to her," whispered Seren.

"That doesn't make any sense," replied Eric.

"It will," said Seren with a smile.

Eric sighed and said, "Are you going to mark me with those pheromones again?"

"No, we're going to put the goods on display," said Seren. "Just a little more tastefully."

Seren and Eric were in his new office and she was getting him ready for Sookie's arrival.

"She's coming," said Eric.

"Almost there," said Seren.

Once again, Seren walked around Eric. She had made him wear a short silk robe that actually belonged to Pam. The belt was removed and the robe hung open and because it was small, it barely covered his shoulders. He wore simple athletic pants and flip-flops. She had him take a shower and he was still damp. Seren stood in front of him and frowned. Even though, he was used to being stared at and ogled, this critical appraisal bothered him. She stepped to him and began tugging his pants lower.

"You are in danger of giving yourself and Sookie an eyeful if you keep pulling those pants lower," he said.

Seren smiled and trailed her hand up the expanse of flesh that she had just exposed.

"Being tasteful doesn't mean that we can't tempt her with this sinful body of yours," she replied.

"I wasn't aware that you noticed," said Eric.

"It's takes an effort not to notice you," said Seren, still smiling.

It was then that Pam opened the door and before she could announce her, Sookie darted past her and rushed into the room.

"Bill's been kidnapped," she said.

Her eyes then focused on Eric and Seren watched as they dropped lower and lower. Sookie flashed her eyes back to Eric's face.

"You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?" she asked.

"Eric has been here all night," said Seren. "You can ask anyone here in the bar."

"Why don't you tell me what happened?" said Eric.

He sat on the edge of his desk, causing his abdominals to ripple, and the robe flew even farther open. Seren fought to keep the smile off her face. He was milking it for all it was worth, she thought.

"We were having dinner at that fancy French restaurant in Monroe and he proposed. I...I needed a moment to think and I went to the restroom. When I came back, Bill was gone," she said.

"You didn't accept?" asked Eric.

"That's not really relevant," replied Sookie.

"How do you know that he just didn't leave because you didn't say yes?" asked Eric.

"Because the table was turned over and it looked like a struggle happened," said Sookie.

Eric got up and walked towards her, once again putting that body in motion and on display. Sookie shifted nervously and watched. He was impossible not to look at, thought Seren. Young, old, single or even happily taken, they all would still stare. He was an old one from a time when beauty was something uncommon. She wondered at the stir he would have made when still alive. Perhaps, this accounted for his attitude with women. He never had to work very hard at getting what he wanted.

"I will look into it," said Eric, standing before her.

"How can I be sure that you will?" asked Sookie.

"If Bill is indeed taken, then as his Sheriff, I am duty bound to look for him," said Eric.

"I think Lorena might be responsible," said Sookie.

"A solid theory, but under no circumstances are you to approach her," said Eric.

"Why not? If she has him or knows anything about what happened, shouldn't I find out?" asked Sookie.

"You're too valuable and important...to me to risk yourself in that manner," said Eric.

Whatever Sookie was going to say was forgotten as she realized that he had made an admission of her worth to him. She began to cry and Eric looked at her and felt her pain. Yet, he also had felt something from her earlier when Bill must have proposed. He had felt her crushing indecision and conflicted emotions. She had not accepted Bill's proposal because she had begun to doubt him.

Seren stepped forward and handed Sookie a tissue and put her arm around her, saying, "Would you like me to take you home?"

"No, thanks," said Sookie. "I'll be okay. I need to get home in case anyone tries to contact me."

Sookie wiped her eyes and flashed another look at Eric before leaving.

Seren watched her and then turned back to Eric, saying only, "It's begun."

A/N: I hope that you are enjoying Sookie being brought into the story as Eric' love interest. I admit to not being a Sookie fan which is why I usually write OC/Eric stories, but I am sort of enjoying writing her and Eric together in this story. If you are enjoying this story, I wouldn't mind a review (hint, hint).