Chapter 21

Eric motioned for her to take a seat at the table. Grace followed and sat down. The club looked a lot different empty but still had the tacky vampire décor and the blood red walls that made her feel dirty just being inside.

"For someone not intending to stay a while, you sure have a funny way of showing it. You suit black Grace," Eric complimented "And I must say your hair looks better pulled back, you can see your face more" he said with a grin as he studied her.

Grace almost shuddered as she crossed her legs. Eric watched her as he tilted his head "After my visit I can't say I want to have that kind of experience again"

"What brings you back to Fangtasia then?" Eric asked as he sat down

"Why are you locking up V dealers and sending them to this majestor?" she got right to the point.

The queen has her money, and I intend to save my own ass incase people start asking what happened to the old majestor or if Sophie Anne starts running her mouth

"I simply want to do what's right for my kind" Eric said coolly

Grace shook her head. Proof that Eric had ulterior motives. "Right. Right for your kind. Don't you think it would be better to send them to the police so they can face a less….biased trial?"

Eric sat forward "The vampire tribunal aren't any more biased than your so called justice system when you have let murders and rapists walk free based on lack of evidence. And how would you know about our tribunal Grace?" he asked wondering how a human would know such a protocol.

Grace shrugged "Bill told me…" She lied. She knew exactly how it worked with Vampire politics. The queen had a few run ins with the tribunal and more than enough visits from the majestor.

Eric looked at his hands "And I'm assuming you're here to make sure you and your new found associate Lafayette don't face the same punishment as the other dealers I have taken care of.." Eric assumed

No I have other plans for you two

Grace was somewhat relieved that he wasn't intending to lock her away but she dreaded to find out what his other plans consisted of.

"Lafayette and I are not associates. I told you I wanted to help him out, he wanted out of the game so I helped him. I'm not into dealing V" she said

"Plus I can't see how you would lock up someone who you put up to sell the blood." She added with confidence.

Grace saw that same amusement in Eric as she spoke to him. He looked like he enjoyed hearing every word that came out of her mouth. He studied every movement and sound she made.

Eric nodded "I suppose you're right. But what does that say for you then? You willingly volunteered to sell the blood for Lafayette, I didn't put you up to it so shouldn't you be taken to the majestor?" he countered

Grace knew he wasn't going to do that. She looked down trying to keep her emotions in check. She knew he had something else in mind but there was no telling if he'd change is mind or not.

Eric sat back with a smile "And it seems I have made you a little fearful.."

Grace looked back up at him. "I don't plan on locking the two of you up" he finally admitted

Grace was a little relived he said the words. "But.."

"Mr. Reynolds has enough emotional and physical trauma to last him a life time, and besides I would have a very pissed off Sookie Stackhouse on my case if I did take Lafayette to the majestor and I believe I've already done my share to make her mad this month"

"and what about me?" Grace said meekly

Eric nodded "Like I said, I'm going to find out whatever it is you're hiding from everyone" he was determined "Unless you wanted to save yourself the grief and share with me now?"

Grace stood up "Like I said, there is nothing about me that I'm hiding" she turned to head out of the club

"Funny how the only Grace Miller from Miami is a 89 year old paraplegic from South Beach?" He said with an eyebrow raised. Eric still sitting in his chair. He had already had people looking into Grace, he knew that much that who ever she was Grace Miller wasn't her real name.

Grace stopped as she tried to collect herself "Guess you're not looking hard enough"

Eric finally stood to his feet and walked towards "Oh no I'm looking hard, the question burns, Grace Miller isn't your real name" he stopped in front of her and looked deep in her eyes as he leaned down "Is it?"

Grace raised an eyebrow "I still don't see why you are so determined to know anything about me? Weren't you having fun tormenting Bill and Sookie?" she countered

Eric straightened out with a smile as he nodded he looked passed Grace "What can I say something else has my attention" he looked back at her. "What is it you're hiding from?" he finally said

Grace shook her head "I'm not hiding"

"But you obviously ran from something" he pointed

Grace raised her eyebrows knowing he was going to keep pushing, at that point she figured let him, she did a good enough job at covering her tracks in Miami Eric wouldn't find anyone who knew her except for Cody and if he was on a crusade for V dealers Cody would be on a one way trip to the majestor instead of Bon Temps.

"And what If I did run from something back there? If I tell you will you back off?" she asked

Eric stood quiet as he nodded.

"My brother was murdered.." she admitted as she looked up at him. Grace couldn't believe she confessed one of her secrets

Eric paused as he was a little taken back at her statement. He didn't know if she was telling the truth or not. "I'm sorry for your loss" he said simply

Grace nodded taking his apology with a grain of salt. Eric didn't feel empathy, Grace knew that and had been proven so many times that he didn't feel much.

So much pain in her eyes

"And how did your brother meet his fate?" he asked

Grace closed her eyes dreading answering that question "Vampires" she shot her eyes open as she looked at Eric "Your kind killed him, they used him and when he didn't serve their purpose anymore they got rid of him " Grace covered her mouth as she held back the tears, she had to go in fear of what else she might say.

Eric wasn't surprised that Lucas was murdered by vampires, but he knew there was more to the story then Grace was letting on

There's more to it than that

"Now If you don't mind I'm not sticking around for happy hour here" She stormed out of the club as Eric watched her go.