I sighed finishing with burying the last werewolf when a chill went down my spine. I knew it wasn't Jessica since I sent her home after she helped me put the werewolves in the cemetery. I tossed the shovel away while looking around for the cause of the chill. I turned around to see Eric standing there with his shirt unbuttoned, and blood all over him.
"What the fuck do you want?" I asked.
Instead of getting an answer, he walked up to me to grab hold of my waist. He picked me up without my consent, and the world became a blur when he took off. I clutched to him in surprise before we appeared at Fangtasia. By the time he finally let me go, we were in his office while scaring Pam int he process.
"What the hell?" Pam asked.
"Just what I wanted to ask." I said.
"We need sanctuary." Eric said.
Pam and I exchanged a glance since the usually calm Eric Northman wasn't being so calm.
"Oh, my God. What have you done?" Pam asked.
"I staked a vampire, the lover of Russell Edgington." Eric said then looked to me. "He'll most likely come after you as well as us since you are mine."
If it was another situation, I'd gladly point out I wasn't his. I just cursed though while running my hand through my hair.
"Are you insane?" Pam inquired.
"WHERE CAN WE GO?!" Eric practically roared.
I've never seen him like this before, and frankly, it was really starting to freak me out.
"A human home would be safest." Pam said. "We've both been invited to Sunflower's home."
And I'd give them a place to stay if they needed it, but I don't exactly have a vampire bunker. The only place without windows in my house would be the bathroom. Though letting Eric die didn't seem like such a bad thing. I'm still very pissed at him, but I made that damn promised to Godric.
"No! That's out of the question." Eric said.
"Then where, Eric?" I asked. "Because we ain't staying at Sookie's place."
That'd put her in danger, and who even said I'd be going along with them in the first place? I shook my head because this stress isn't something the doctor order.
"You never panic. Should I be panicking?" Pam aske.d
"No, because panicking will get us nowhere." I said.
Ginger then walked into the office as Eric grabbed a cloth to clean off his face.
"Ginger, dear, where do you live?" Eric asked.
"Across the river in Bossier. Why?" She asked.
Pam explained 'we'd' need a place to lay low, but I still never agreed to go with them. I couldn't go into hiding. I'm supposed to be waiting for my father to come get me. Not hiding out with vampires. One of which I'm not very pleased with at the momnet.
"Is this because of the V-Feds?" Ginger asked.
No, but that definitely didn't make things any better. Eric and Pam exchanged a glance before they started moving around quickly. Pam put on her pink jacket over her bra as Eric tossed his shirt to the side. I helped him clean the blood off of him as fast as I could while wondering why I was dealing with this shit.
"Stay here." Eric said cupping my face once I finished getting the blood off his chest.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Eric placed his lips over mine quickly to silence me, which shocked me. He then pulled on a tank top while heading out the door with Pam and Ginger behind him. I stood there frowning as debating whether to listen to him or not. I sighed wondering why all this shit always happens to me. I was about to just sit down on the small couch in Eric's office to rest a bit when I heard a high pitched scream. I rushed out of the office to see Nan and a bunch of vamps in black. Eric was down on his knees looking to be in pain.
"Oh, it's your odd little human." Nan said seeing me.
"There's two things wrong with that sentence." I said to Nan. "One: I'm not his. Two: It's vertically challenged, not little. But it's so nice to see you again, Miss Flanagan."
Nan gave me a sarcastic smile, and I returned the gesture. I really didn't like this bitch.
"I told you to stay in the office." Eric said looking over his shoulder at me.
"There was screaming, so I couldn't just sit in there." I said frowning at him. "And they would have found me in there anyway. And I don't have to listen to your fucking orders."
"Rissa," Eric began.
"Quiet!" Nan snapped interrupting him. "You're both giving me a headache. Miss Stackhouse, we have a few questions for you about the dealing of V in the area."
I frowned in confusion because I had idea about the whole V trafficing business. I don't do drugs, and I tend to stay away from them.
"Ask away, I guess." I said.
"So, you have no clue about the V reportedly sold in this area?" Nan asked me.
"No." I said. "I don't even know what's been going on here the last few days. I've been away until last night."
Nan nodded her head as the two of us sat in Eric's office. She said it was so Eric wasn't around to influence my answers. I had rolled my eyes when she said that because I would have said the same thing even if he was in view. She already spoke with Ginger, and the blonde was off somewhere.
"That will be all, Miss Stackhouse." Nan said. "If you must stay here, then remain in this office until things are settled."
I frowned though I nodded my head since Eric would just force me back in here if I left it again. Nan left to finish her sweep of the place as I sat behind Eric's desk. This was all getting so stressful. Which isn't what I needed.
NO POV:
Once Nan Flanagan left with her goons, Eric went to his office. He saw Corissa was leaned back in his chair snoozing away. He walked over to her while kneeling down beside the chair. He reached out to brush her hair back from her face. He saw blood stained on her neck, and he remembered feeling her pain and fear from earlier. He brushed his fingers across his neck then down to her shoulder where there was a large amount of blood on her shirt.
"Eric?"
Eric looked up seeing Corissa looking down at him with blurry eyes. He placed his hand on her cheek while leaning up to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Go back to sleep." He said. "We'll be here a while."
She frowned pulling away from him. He sighed knowing she hasn't forgiven him for what he's done, which he can't blame her.
"I need to get back to Sookie." She said. "I can't leave her."
Eric shushed her while pulling her out of the chair as he stood. He sat down in his chair while placing her in his lap. He put his arms around her, and he didn't let go even when she struggled.
"She'll be fine during the day." He said once she stopped fighting. "And they won't let anyone leave until the Authority makes a ruling."
After saying this, some of those guards came in with two light tight coffins. They set them down in Eric's office while looking at the Viking and Corissa. Eric growled at them until they left him and Corissa alone in his office. Pam walked into the office, and without a word go into her coffin.
"Goodnight, Pam." Corissa said before Pam closed the lid.
"Goodnight, Sunflower." Pam said.
Pam shut the lid tightly as Corissa sat up away from Eric. He could sense she was wary of him, which was understandable.
"I have a spare shirt you can wear until we get you more clothes." Eric said.
He moved Corissa off his lap to go over to the dresser in his office to pull out a button down shirt. He held it out to Corissa, and she took it slowly. She took off her jacket then turned around to pull her shirt over over head. Eric watched her silently as he sat back down at his desk. She reached back to unfastened her bra, whichs she left fall to the floor. She unbuttoned her pants, and pulled them down to her ankles so she could step out of them. She put on his shirt to button it up.
"I think it's a little big." She said turning around.
Eric chuckled because it was more that just a little big. It nearly went down to her knees, and the sleeves went past her hands. She picked up her clothes to put them over in the corner. She sat down on the couch while looking at Eric.
"Aren't you going to get any sleep?" She asked.
"I don't need any." Eric said shaking his head.
Corissa frowned obviously no buying it, but she didn't press him on the subject.
"I think we need to talk." She said as she crossed her arms over chest. "We haven't had the chance since I was carted away at Russell's place."
Eric grew tense at the mention of that because he remembers all her pain. Every single bit of it. Every slash of the whip...every bite mark. It was all his fault. He allowed it to happen to her. She should hate him.
"I'm going to try to be open minded." Corissa said. "I wasn't really in the mood to be earlier, but I've had time to calm down. The last time I was mad at someone without trying to understand his side of the story, he died before I could apologize for hating him...for cursing him. I'm going to try not to repeat that, so please, Eric, speak."
Eric knew immediately she was speaking of her first love...Luke, and this chance wasn't something he was expecting. If he was going to die, he should at least tell her why he's allowed all this to happen. He wanted her to know.
"Russell Edgington and his wolves killed my entire family when I was still human." Eric said causing Corissa's eyes to widen. "Slaughtered them all just so he could take my father's crown. I've been searching for him for over a thousand years, and when the opportunity to take him out presented itself, I told myself nothing would keep my from my revenge."
Corissa was silent for a moment, and Eric could feel her anger start to boil in her. He knew this wouldn't go over well. Her being calm wasn't going to last long either.
"What's with men always having to keep things to themselves?" Corissa asked. "Did you ever think that if you told someone that all this mess wouldn't have happened?"
She stood up with her hands on her hips, and Eric didn't reply as he looked at her from behind his desk.
"If you would have just talked to me, I could have-"
"Could have what?" Eric asked while trying to keep his voice down so not to wake Pam. "What could you have done against Russell? I don't even have the strength to take him! You would have gotten yourself killed!"
He hissed out this last part, but Corissa didn't even flinch as she glared up at Eric.
"That's not the point, Eric!" Corissa said harshly in a whisper. "You could have died doing all this shit on your own! You have people that care about you. That would be devistated if you die. Does your thick Viking skull comprehend what I'm saying?"
Eric frowned looking away from Corissa because he hadn't thought of that. He didn't think it mattered.
"Pam would have been fine on her own." Eric said.
"That's what you think. And what about me?!" Corissa demanded. "Did you even think what I would do if..."
Corissa trailed off as tears entered her eyes. Eric could feel her raging and conflicting emotions as he looked straight at her. She shook her head while turning away from him. He heard her muffle a sob as her shoulders shook slightly. He felt his unbeating heart clench when hearing her cry. It made him uncomfortable, but it also upset him that he caused it. He didn't understand how Corissa made him feel like this, but nothing he tried could get him to stop. He even tried fucking Yvetta, but it didn't work.
"Rissa." He said softly while stepping towards her. "Rissa, don't cry."
"Why?" She asked turning to face him with the tears running down her cheeks. "Because it makes you uncomfortable? Because it makes you feel human?"
Eric didn't reply as he pulled Corissa into his arms. She tried to pull away at her first, but the longer he refused to let her go, the less she struggled. She finally collapsed into him as her tiny fingers clutched the front of his shirt.
"Why can't I hate you, Eric Northman?" She asked not even lifting her head. "After all the shit, you've put me through. The last few days nearly killed me...but I still can't hate you. Why? Why?!"
She let out a sob as Eric held her close to him. He couldn't believe he did this to her. He hated himself. He's hurt her...and she should hate him.
"I...I'm sorry." He said. "I'm more sorry than I can ever express."
CORISSA'S POV:
I wiped at Eric's ears and nose when more blood ran down his face. He watched me as I worked, and I tried to ignore the uneasy feeling I felt with his eyes on me. I've never been shy or self-conscious except around a very small amount of people. I was still unsure what I was feeling or why I was going along with all this shit. I should have left. I should be at home waiting for my father, but I can't bring myself to leave Eric...not when he's going through all of this.
"If you had just gotten some sleep, you wouldn't be having this problem." I told Eric once I got all the blood off...again.
"I'm fine." He said for the umpteenth time.
I rolled my eyes while throwing the bloody towel onto his desk. Why did he have to be so stubborn?
"Men." I grumbled under my breath.
Eric chuckled though I could tell he still wasn't in better spirits. I sighed while looking at the clock to see that the sun has probably set a little while go. I was proven right when Pam's coffin opened with said blonde lifting up. She looked over at Eric and as once again blood dripped down from his nose.
"Did you sleep at all?" Pam asked.
I shook my head while wiping him clean once more. Pam looked at her maker in concern, and I knew they probably needed time to talk.
"Are the guards still outside?" Pam asked.
I nodded while going over to collect my clothes off the floor. I'd go get dressed in the bathroom or something.
"I'll leave you two alone." I said.
I stepped over Pam's coffin while squeezing through the door. I frowned at the guards when they turned to look at me.
"What?" I asked. "Never seen a woman in a shirt and her panties? You must not get out much."
They all looked away as I walked towards the bathroom with my head held high. If I can walk through the entire camp in my underwear due to a dare this was nothing.
I sat with Pam at one of the many tables as Eric sat at one not far from us. We were all waiting for Nan to return to hear the verdict the Authority has given. I frowned feeling a massive chill run through me.
"Sunflower?" Pam asked when seeing my body shudder.
Eric looked over at us as I placed a hand over my chest. That chill...I've only gotten it around Russell.
"Something wrong?" Eric asked.
The feeling passed as soon as it arrived, so I guessed Russell had left already.
"No...nothing's wrong." I said.
Eric frowned looking like he was going to press, but the door opened. Nan walked in while going straight up to Eric.
"You all look like shit." Nan said bluntly.
"Right back at ya." I said with a sarcastic grin.
Nan glared over at me as Pam looked at me with a smirk on her face. I winked at her to lighten the mood, and her smirk grew. Nan rolled her eyes at us while pulling out a piece of paper.
"The ruling is as follows: The Authority disavows any knowledge of our interview." Nan began. "Your statement, or indeed, this ruling itself. None of this ever happened."
"What?" Eric asked looking truly confused.
If I had a camera at the moment, I would totally capture this moment since I'm sure it's a very rare occurance.
"Missing royals, dead Magisters." Nan said while handing the paper to Eric. "It's a political tar baby that no one wants to touch...not with the VRA this close to ratification."
Well, this was all going better than I had thought it would. At least no one was dying tonight...hopefully.
"Russell will not stop killing." Eric said. "What if the human public learns of it?"
"That's why you're going to take care of it." Nan said. "Quietly, discreetly, and most important of all, completely off the books. You wanted revenge, it's yours."
I exchanged a look with Pam because this was all going too smoothly to be real. Based on Pam's expression I'd have to say she felt the same.
"What resources are you going to give me?" Eric asked.
"None." Nan said. "We're not going anywhere near it."
Ah, okay, this all seemed a bit more on track. I should have known they wouldn't help out. It'd be bad if the world found out, and they were caught in the middle.
"How do you expect me to kill him? He's three times my age." Eric said.
"Oh, so now you want help?" I asked. "If you had said something sooner, none of this would be happening."
"Corissa, not now!" Eric growled as he glanced back at me.
I flipped him off as a reply while jumping down from my stool. I cursed him in Greek while heading towards his office, so to get away from him. He's really starting to give me a headache. I went into Eric's office while planning to make a call to Sookie. She needed to know where I was before she started freaking out. I sat behind Eric's desk while grabbing his phone off the corner, so to bring it over to me. I dialed Sookie's number before placing the phone to my ear.
"Hello?" She answered after a few rings.
"Sookie, it's me, Rissy." I said.
"Oh, Rissy, where have you been?" Sookie asked.
She started ranting about me keeping in better touch with her and other things I didn't even listen to. I let her get it all out while looking down at my nails to see they needed to filed.
"You done?" I asked once she took a pause. "Okay, good. I'm fine. You don't have to worry, and you probably won't be seeing me tonight. That's all I wanted to say. Bye now."
I hung up before she could get started again when I suddenly got the feeling to watch TV...the news to be exact. I frowned at the sudden feeling, but I'm sure it had to do with my Apollo senses, so I left the office. I walked out to see Nan and her goons were gone.
"Done throwing your tantrum?" Eric asked me.
"Shush." I said to him. "Now where's the remote to that TV over your bar?"
Eric's brow quirked in question, so I went behind the bar to start looking myself. Pam flashed to my side while holding out the remote to me. I climbed onto the bar to sit down while turning on the TV.
"What are you doing, Corissa?" Eric asked. "We don't have time for the TV. We need to figure out what to do against Russell."
"You're the one who wanted to work alone." I said to Eric. "Now, shut the fuck up. I'm watching the news."
I flipped the news channel on while crossing my legs Indian style on top the bar. At first the news anchor was just speaking about the VRA, but when he paused while looking to the side, I knew something was up. Eric joined Pam over at the bar with him standing beside me. The news anchor continued on speaking, but then Russell fucking Edgington himself appeared behind him while ripping out his heart.
"And this is why I wanted to watch the news." I said as some people screamed off camera.
Eric and Pam said nothing, but they did continue watching the television with me.
"Does that help you decide, America?" Russell asked while holding the man's spine in his hand. "Do no turn off the camera! You've seen how quickly I can kill."
Russell dumped the guy onto the floor under the desk before sitting down in the chair. He was still holding the spine in his hand, which almost made me want to gag.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Russell Edgington, and I have been a vampire for nearly 3000 years." He introduced. "Now, the American Vampire League wishes to perpetrate the notion that we are just like you, and I suppose in a few small ways we are. We're narcissits. We care only about getting what we want, no matter the cost, just like you."
Wow, this guy has completely gone off his rocker. I guess losing Talbot was a huge stab to the chest for him. I frowned since Eric was thanks to all that.
"Global warming, perpetual war, tox waste, child labor, torture, genocide." Russell listed off. "That's a small price to play for your SUVs and your flat-screen TVs...your blood diamonds, your designer jeans, your absurd, garish McMansions! Futile symbols of permanence to quell your quivering, spineless souls."
He tossed the spine in his hand behind his back at last as I bit my lip a tad harshly. This all was turning into a shit storm and getting worse by the second.
"But no." He said while clasping his fingers together. "In the end, we are nothing like you. We are...hehe...immortal. Because we drink the true blood...blood that is living, organic and human."
He licked some of the blood off his blood covered hand, and I shook my head feeling sick. This bastard was a real nutjob.
"And that is the truth the AVL wishes to conceal from you." He continued. "Because let's face it, eating people is a tough sell these days. So they put on their friendly faes to pass their beloved VRA, but make no mistake, mine is the true face of the vampires!"
I started biting on my thumb nail while wondering what all this could mean for the rest of the supernatural and mythological community. If vamps start running a muck, it's only a matter of time before humans become more vigilant...they'll start noticing more, and I'm sure the mist won't be able to hide everything.
"Why would we seek equal rights?" Russell asked in a calmer tone. "You are not our equals. We will eat you after we eat your children...Now time for the weather. Tiffany?"
"What a sick fuck." I said.
I frowned laying across the bar as Eric spoke with some lawyer. It was a few hours after Nan left, and Pam had given me some clothes to use. She kept it simple since she knew I didn't like flashy, which I thanked her for. I was now wearing a outfit much like she had on earlier, but this one wasn't pink. It was a powdered blue color, and it was comfortable, so it worked. I sighed turning my head to look over the lawyer as he read the will Eric was setting up.
"I give all my residences, subject to any mortgages or encumbrances thereon to..." The lawyer trailed off.
"My progeny, Pamela Swynford DeBeaufort." Eric said.
Said progeny was pacing back and forth while looking very pissed off at the moment. Honestly, I didn't blame her. It was like Eric was giving up. Besides, did he really think Russell would leave Pam alive? A progeny for a progeny, I'm sure is what he'll think.
"Why are you doing this?" Pam asked.
"Because, Pam, Russell Edgington was maybe the oldest and strongest vampire on the planet before he eviscerated a newman live on TV." Eric said. "Now he's also the craziest, and his rage is directed at me. Do the math."
I know he's under a lot of stress, but he doesn't need to be a complete jerk. Pam was just worried for him. Eric gestured for the lawyer to continue business.
"Article four. 'I give the rest of my residuary estate to..." He trailed off again.
"My progeny, Pamela Swynford DeBeaufort." Eric said.
The lawyer nodded while writing down Pam's name once again onto the damn will.
"You're not even gonna put up a fight?" Pam asked.
"Of course I am." Eric retorted. "But until I come up with a brilliant plan to beat him, I am covering my bases and your ass."
Pam looked at me for help, and I sighed while sitting up from the bar. I really didn't want to get involved in this fight.
"Eric," I began.
"Unless you have a plan for me to defeat Russell Edgington, do not distract me." Eric growled as he turned to glare at Pam and I.
I glared right back at him while he turned back to the lawyer to tell him to go on.
"Your signature requires two witnesses." The lawyer said while placing a pen in front of Eric. "But the witness cannot be the beneficiary of your estate."
"Corissa!" Eric barked.
I stiffened up in anger before taking a deep breath. Getting in a arguement with him now wouldn't help anybody. I got down from the bar while walking over to Eric.
"Are you mentally competent and under no duress at this time?" Eric asked.
"I don't know I've had to deal with you for nearly a full twenty-four hours." I said rolling my eyes. "Yes, of course, I'm fine."
"Good. Watch this." Eric said.
He turned the paper towards him to sign it then he went to grab my hand. I jerked the pen away from him while slapping his hand away.
"I can sign my own name, thanks." I said.
I signed my name then pushed the pen and paper back to the lawyer who also signed it.
"Well, congratulations." He said. "According to the State of Louisiana, should Mr. Northman meet the true death you will become a very wealthy vampire."
"Break out the champange." I said sarcastically.
The lawyer just nodded while saying he'd let himself out, and none of us spoke as he left the bar.
"I'm going out for a moment." Eric said as he stood. "Stay here."
"Like Hades, I am." I said. "If you can leave, then I can return home to my family. I have yet to give Jason and Sookie a final goodbye."
At the word final, Eric, who had been heading towards the door, stopped in his tracks. He turned towards me as I stood there crossing my arms over my chest.
"Final?" Eric asked.
"If I even live through all this shit, I'm living Bon Temps." I said. "Leaving Louisiana, and I don't think I'll be coming back. I don't think I'll make it back."
Eric was suddenly in front of me, and he cupped my face between his hands. I slapped his hands away because I was still pissed yet wasn't at the same time at him.
"Why?" He asked.
"The gods-"
"The gods?!" Eric interrupted. "They call you, and you answer obediantly like some pup?!"
I stepped away from him while crossing my arms over my chest. He really did not want to start this fight with me now, but it was too late now.
"I can't just defy them, Eric!" I snapped. "They are my gods! My father happens to be one of them. You would have done anything Godric asked of you. It's the same thing."
"Don't bring Godric into this!" Eric said stepping towards me. "And it's not the same."
I frowned because I didn't understand how it was much more different. He was just being difficult as always.
"Well, then how about this? It's my life, I get to decide what to do with it, so fucking drop it." I said. "Go do your damn errand. I won't be here when you get back."
Eric got right in my face with his fangs clicking out, but he should now that intimdation don't work with me.
"Can you two not fight right now?" Pam asked getting us to look at her. "We have a problem. Russell Edgington is going to come kill us all."
I frowned knowing she was right, but I couldn't just be kept here as a prisoner. I don't do well being locked up anyway. I start feeling antsy...like a caged animal. Eric and I looked back at each other, and he retracted his teeth.
"Will you stay here now?" Eric asked.
I looked away from him because I honestly just wanted to see Sookie and Jason. However, I knew going off on my own wasn't the best with Russell. I can't be so reckless when the gods obviously have something really important they wish for me to do.
"Fine." I said looking back to Eric. "But the second my father comes for me, I will and I must go."
Eric stared at me a moment longer before he was gone to do whatever the fuck he wants.
"I hate your maker." I said to Pam.
"No, you don't." Pam said bluntly. "You both love each other. It's fucking obvious."
I scoffed while hoping back onto the bar, so to lay back down as I had been doing. I love Eric? He's a first rate asshole. Nothing like the first man I loved. Nothing like Luke...I frowned because maybe that was the appeal. I loved Luke because he was kind and sweet to me...made me feel special...made me feel like I just wasn't one of the crowd. They I wasn't just expendable. He made me happy with his loving words...the soft kisses.
Eric though...he was mostly vulgar with his 'complements'...he had been only interested because I'm not human and he wanted my body. Eric is rough around the edges...he confused me...made me think. I've never met anyone who could argue with me like he does. Not even Luke could even dream of winning an argument. Eric though he sometimes stumps me. He's hard to read, which leaves surprises...and it's exciting. I groaned because thinking about all this was giving me a headache.
"Dammit, Pam, this is all your fault." I grumbled as rubbed at my temples. "Now I got a fucking headache."
"Glad to help." Pam said in her usual blank tone.
It was the next night, and my second night at Fangtasia. I was currently in Eric's office staring at him intently.
"Staring at me like that isn't going to make me let you out of here." Eric said as he glanced over at me. "So you might as well stop."
"Or what?" I asked.
I was suddenly on my back on the couch with Eric hovering over me. Oh, well, that answers that.
"Then I'll have to distract you." Eric said as he leaned in. "I have somethings I wish to say to you."
I felt my heart pick up partially at his tone as he picked up one of my blonde locks to twirl around his finger. The door to the office then banged open with Sookie walking herself right in. She paused when seeing the position Eric and I were in.
"She insisted." Pam said from the doorway.
"She always does." Eric said as he got up.
He sat down beside me, but then pulled me close to his side. I didn't fight him since I got the feeling he needed comfort even though he wasn't asking for it.
"What did you mean, you're not gonna be around much longer?" Sookie asked.
I frowned in confusion wondering how Sookie knew about any of that. Did Eric go see her last night? Why?
"Don't pretend you care about me." Eric said as his fingers played with my hair. "This is about Bill. Deep down, you know you shouldn't trust him."
Sookie asked Eric what he meant, but Eric said nothing to her as he looked to me.
"Eric?" I prompted.
"I need to say this to you, Corissa, and I don't give a damn if your cousin is here to hear or see this." Eric said. "Here's the truth. There are forces beyond even my control. If I meet the truth death without having kissed you one last time, Corissa Stackhouse, that would be my biggest regret."
"Eric, don't be saying goodbye to me." I said as I stood up. "Do not."
Eric stood up as well while cupping my face between his hands, so I was forced to look up at him. I felt my eyes watering as I stared into his eyes.
"I have to." Eric said. "Besides, weren't you the one speaking of goodbyes earlier?"
"I'm allowed to do that." I said. "You can't."
I know this was all a weak argument that I wouldn't win, but I couldn't stop myself from trying.
"Why?" Eric asked with amusement shining dully in this eyes.
"Because...because...I don't know! You just can't." I said as I reached up to grasp his wrists. "I don't want you to die."
I didn't...I really didn't. From the bottom of my heart I wanted Eric to live. He couldn't die now.
"Despite all your faults...despite everything that's happened since I've met you...I don't want you to die." I said. "You can't die...you're fucking Eric Northman."
Eric chuckled as he brushed strands of hair behind my ear. A few tears slipped down my cheeks as I started up into his eyes.
"You should hate me." Eric said. "You should hate me to your very core."
"Well, I don't." I said. "And I know that's fucked up. I...can't hate you, Eric. I care about you too much."
Eric's lips were then on mine, and I gasped into his mouth allowing him to slip in his tongue. He kept kissing me fiercingly, and didn't stop until I needed to breath. Once he pulled away, we just stared into each other's eyes. He opened his mouth looking like he was going to say something, but Pam chose that moment to walk in, which reminded me that Sookie has been in the room this whole time.
"What?" Eric asked as I stepped back.
"Blah, blah, vampire emergency, blah." Pam said.
Eric frowned as he looked back to me. He kissed the top of my head before he left with Pam. I stood there then glanced at Sookie who was staring at me with wide eyes.
"What?" I asked.
"'What?'" Sookie repeated. "You know what. What was all that? And you care about him? Him? He's a-"
"Sookie, don't finish that sentence." I said. "I don't want to fight with you. I love Bill like a brother, but he isn't exactly the best man alive...or rather not-alive around here."
Sookie clamped her mouth shut because she knew she couldn't argue with me. She knew I was right. The two of us had to wait a few minutes before Eric walked back into the office.
"Where the hell have you been?" Sookie asked.
"I needed to think." Eric replied.
"I'm not some kind of prisoner you can lock up anytime you feel like taking off." Sookie said.
Oh, now she knows how I've felt the last few nights. It was pretty damn annoying.
"Actually you are." Eric said.
I frowned in confusion when Sookie was suddenly gone from the room along with Eric. I rushed out of the room to go after them, but Pam got in my way.
"Pam, you don't want to keep me from my cousin." I said.
"Sorry, Sunflower, but this all has to be done." Pam said. "Please, don't try anything."
I narrowed my eyes at her because I wasn't just about to stand here and do nothing. I could hear Sookie screaming from the basement.
"Pam, you need to get out of my way." I said. "I don't want to hurt you."
I honestly didn't. I just had to get to Sookie. I have no fucking idea what's going on through Eric's mind, but I wouldn't let him get by with it. I launched myself forward obviously catching Pam by surprise. I kicked my leg into her side, which sent her into one of the tables. She recovered quickly while coming after me. I dodged her fist while grabbing the back of her shirt to throw her down. I was about to continue, but Eric appeared behind me to wrap his arms around me while restraining my own.
"Corissa, calm down." Eric said. "Rissa!"
At his sharp command I found myself freezing in his hold, and for a moment all that could be heard was the pounding of my heart.
"What the fuck, Eric?" I asked. "What are you doing to Sookie?"
"It's all part of my plan." Eric said. "Let me explain."
I frowned though I stayed quiet and still as Eric explained to me his grand plan. As he kept speaking, I started wondering if he had suffered any brain damage.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" I demanded. "That's nuts!"
"It might just work though." Eric said. "We could end Russell Edgington."
"At the risk of Sookie's life?!" I asked.
I then paused while remembering something...what about...could that work?
"What about me?" I asked. "In our lessons with Chiron, he told me of vampires that would drink from half bloods...gain their abilities. I control light...including sunlight. I kept it off Bill when he was burning once. If Russell drinks from me then he can control sunlight."
Eric let me go turn me around, so I was looking right at him. He had his eyes narrowed at me with a thoughtful look shining in his eyes.
"I've never felt any affects from drinking from you." He said.
"That's because you never took a large amount from me." I said. "And you only drank from me once. If you had taken small amounts from me here and there then you could already be walking in the sun."
"We don't have time for small amounts." Eric said. "We need Russell to daywalk by the morning, which means he'll need a lot of blood. I'm not risking your life."
Oh, but it was okay to offer up my cousin? I opened my mouth to snap at him when a blinding light entered the room. When it faded away, it revealed Apollo sitting in Eric's throne.
"Dad." I said walking over to him.
I knelt down respectfully in front of him with my head bowed. He is one of the Olympians after all even though he's my dad.
"Aw, no need to bow, Pretty Girl." Apollo said.
I lifted my head while slowly getting up from my knelt position as Apollo grinned.
"Have you come for me now?" I asked. "Dad, I can't leave now. Russell-"
"Yes, Russell Edgington is creating quite the problem." Apollo said. "Which is why I convinced the old man to extend your time here amongst the mortals."
There was a rumble of thunder outside, and Apollo chuckled as a large grin appeared on his face. Looks like Zeus doesn't like being called old.
"However, I cannot permit you to put yourself in danger." Apollo said growing serious. "You are to do something great. You must continue living, or more than just your cousin will hang in the balance. Your brothers and sisters...your cousins and friends...we, the gods, need you. Do you understand?"
I stood there realizing that even if I don't know what I am to do, I do know it must be extremely important if the gods need me this bad. It's probably something that will lead to my death later on, but if I can't die now, I know what I must do.
"I understand, Dad." I said.
"Good." Apollo said. "If you remain here, you must follow the rules I place in front of you. You must follow that boy's plan, and you cannot interfere. Sookie will live, so you needn't worry about that. Just worry about the task at hand."
I can only remain here to see Russell's end if I allow my cousin to be used. I didn't like the thought of that, but just leaving here while not knowing what was to come for her made me feel even worse.
"I understand." I said bowing my head. "I will do as ordered."
"Good." Apollo said as he stood. "I'll be back for you once Russell is dead, so make sure you've made your peace and said your goodbyes."
He jumped down from the stage to pat me on the head as he passed me. I turned watching as he went right up to Eric.
"You better take care of her, boy." Apollo said as the lights flickered in the bar. "Because if she dies, I will make sure the afterlife is not pleasant for you after I rip your heart from your chest."
It was the first time I've ever heard my dad so serious, and frankly, it scared me. Apollo was then gone without a goodbye, which left me alone with the two vampires.
"Looks, like I have to go along with this stupid plan of yours." I said to Eric. "Try not to fuck up."