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Chapter Twenty-Five

Abhorrent Veracity

I knew what I had to do.

I knew with every damning fibre in my body, what I had to do.

And I knew I didn't want to do it.

Even though I was starting to become more enamored with Eric, I had things to tie up. I had always promised myself, that no matter what I thought about the rest of my family, Amber was mine. I cared about her; I wanted to keep her in her safe haven away from reality.

She had sobbingly told me how Daniel was missing, and I say, good riddance. But I couldn't easily cut her off like that; I promised I'd look into it. I left a message to my contact and waited a few breaths longer. How could I go back in and tell Eric, what? What could I possibly say to him?

The choice was taken from me I heard someone clear their throat behind me, "I love the dark as the next vampire, but the Maitre D' would like to know if you would join me again." Eric said blithely.

I turned away from staring at nothing and turned to him, letting him see the anguish in my eyes, "Eric—"

He grabbed my shoulders and moved me closer to him, not yet touching but close enough that he could feel my heat and I could absorb his strength, "Tell me what's wrong." He ordered, all mocking aside.

I swallowed, this was going to hurt me more than him, "I need you to take me home."

He pulled back unsure if he had heard me correctly; after everything that we had been doing inside the restaurant, I'd be shocked if I were in his position. "You are going to tell me that you want to go home…after everything? Who phoned you?" He asked with a knowing look in his eyes.

I should have realized at that moment that Eric wasn't as pure as I had thought, that he wasn't always doing good things when there could always be more havoc in the world. But I didn't, I didn't think anything of it. "I'm going out of town for a while." I told him and I locked my jaw after that. It was all I could give him; after all that I felt for him, I could give him that. But no more, he was a vampire and if he knew the things I hid about myself, he'd find them and either kill them or control them.

He stared down hard at me for a full minute before nodding slightly. He gestured to someone and suddenly I was enveloped in my warm coat again. "Eric…"

"We'll talk in the car. Away from prying ears." He cut me off.

I stared up at him trying to decipher his emotions and I suddenly realized. No matter how long I would ever try to understand him; it would still be impossible. He let people know what he wanted and it was little at best.

I steeled my emotions away and straightened my back. I was a hunter for gods' sake! I wasn't some lowly innocent girl getting dumped by her jock boyfriend. I was better than any of that, I was better than this. When had I thought otherwise?

I rarely spoke the entire drive back into Bon Temps, I rarely even breathed when he turned and began driving up the graveled road to my place. We made our beds and we had to lie in them.

"I don't understand you."

If I weren't so keen on listening to our silence then I would have never heard him. I stared out my window and frowned, "Why?"

"If you were any other girl, I could have changed your mind. Instead of leaving, you would be in my bed. I would never have to fight with any other girl, they'd be at my feet begging." He commented more to himself than anything.

My heart dropped to my feet. I knew he said things like that not to hurt me, but rather to himself. To try and make himself understand. But I was tired. I had my own problems to worry about. "I'm human."

"No…you're not." He quietly retorted slowing his car down to a stop in front of my house.

I stopped breathing for a second; he hadn't meant my other ability. Only that he couldn't read my mind and couldn't urge away my free will. Thank gods. "Then find one. I'm sure she'll be happier to let you wine and dine her so you can get a good suck from her." Yes, suck. I was eloquent if nothing else.

I ignored him. If we could somehow have a fight and end everything now, then I'd never have to worry about him. Maybe I'd move away. Texas was looking pretty good, though I doubt their small towns were as welcoming as Bon Temps. Did I just say welcoming?

I swung open my door not intending to say good-bye when I felt his arm snake around me and roughly pulled me to him. "Were you even going to say good-bye?" He asked in his whisky smooth dark voice. His accent was stronger and I felt a little reprieved, he was just very good at showing how upset he really was.

"I didn't think you'd care." I mockingly threw up at him, turning into him.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair, roughly pulling my hair back and against my struggles; he barred my throat. "Don't play that game with me, Erin."

I felt his nose kiss my neck and I shuddered, "I can smell your arousal mixing with your anger." He shoved his hips into mine and I gasped trying desperately not to like any of this.

When his tongue touched my neck where my vein was, my heartbeat made the artery throb more prominently and I almost popped. I let all my emotions out; from being angry to depressed because of my family, to hatred for still running to their beck and call. I let it all out, I knew it was petty, but I doubt I could leave him the way we were going. I knew my emotions swamped him the moment I felt him tense and he separated himself from me. Glowering down at me.

I would have been afraid, if I hadn't known him; I would have been petrified. But I wasn't anymore. I was just so forgone in my own world that I couldn't bother with anything. "Don't do this. I won't let you use me." I reached up before my courage could desert me. I planted my lips firmly on his and kissed him. It was the first time I've ever initiated such a kiss and damned if I didn't like it. I poured everything into that one kiss, everything I was feeling, not wanting to leave, the dread I knew would be my next best friend as I hunted Daniel down. But most of all, I kissed Eric because…well, I liked the guy.

I pulled away, careful not to look back. My stance was weakening and any weaker I'd be a puddle at his feet. I closed the door softly behind me; in a way, this wasn't goodbye. We were still tied, he'd still feel me and I'd still feel him.

The moment I heard his car slide down the road, away from my house; I sprung into action. I threw all of my clothes in my duffel bag and under five minutes flat, I was ready. I was always prepared, no matter my circumstances or if I were feeling weathered. It was my job and I was damn good at it.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Merlotte's; it was early yet and if I could somehow catch Sookie and Sam at the same time, it'd save me the hassle.

"Hello?" I heard a voice shout over the noise.

"Sookie?" I asked.

"Hold on." She grunted to herself and I heard a series of shouts and a door slamming shut.

I grabbed my duffels with my free hand and threw them on the graveled road next to my car. I still had so many things to do before I could find Daniel. "Sookie?" I asked loudly.

"Whoa, Erin! Could you shout any louder in my ear?" She reprimanded. "Aren't you supposed to be on your big date?" She asked and I suddenly remembered. Nothing came easy in Bon Temps.

I sighed, "Look, can I talk to Sam?" I'd deal with her after.

She gave a loud unimpressed snort on her end and I heard her murmur something. She must have been in Sam's office for it to be that quiet. "Hey, how's your date going?"

"I'm leaving." I told him shortly.

Something dropped on his end and I bit back a wince, "You what?"

"Something's up with…" I was tired of beating around the bush. And I trusted Sam more than I trusted anyone else in Bon Temps. Something to do with freaks uniting, not really sure. "My brother is missing and—"

"What?" He asked incredulously. And despite everything, the scene from Pulp Fiction flashed to my mind. Where Travolta and Jackson were talking to a guy tied down and he kept saying 'What?' It didn't end well for that guy.

I shook my head, smirking to myself, "My sister phoned me and they couldn't find him."

"Umm. Okay…are you okay?" He asked.

I always liked Sam; I liked him in his tight jeans, I liked his gallantry and I sure liked when he easily went along with everything I said. He was innocent that way. "I'm fine. They're just calling the big guns to find him."

"Okay. When do you think—?"

I sighed, "Here's the thing. I don't know when but I know it won't be any time soon." I ran a rough hand through my hair, "I'm sorry Sam. Really, I am. But they know that unless its dire and they have no one else, then to call me. Well tonight they did."

"So…your big date got ruined huh?" He asked with a damning smirk in his voice.

I frowned popping the trunk open, "Sam. I like you. Don't make me change my opinion on you."

"What is she saying?" I heard Sookie ask Sam. I shook my head. I was beginning to get a headache from all of this.

"Hello? Erin, what's wrong?" She asked, her mothering skills coming to full force.

"I just have to help a family member out. Nothing big…you know how it is." I shrugged trying to downplay everything. If I didn't, Sookie would get some twisted form of gallantry and try to help me. I just knew it and I really didn't want her to get hurt. This caring business was hard stuff.

"All right then. But I want you to phone me as soon as you find him, you hear?" She demanded. It took me ten more precious minutes to finally calm her and Sam both back down. I wasn't used to the emotional parade and damned if I would ever willingly do so either.

I locked the house up and with one mournful look, I got in my car and sped away. Leaving my one last, true chance of vicariously living a normal life behind. I wasn't sure what had gotten my brother, but I would make sure that it would never happen again. They didn't need me. They had their lives and their reasons and I had mine. I didn't want to impose; I didn't want to even go near them. The last time I ever saw them, I was trash to their diamonds. I got over my baggage long ago; I just hoped they did as well.