Chapter 4: And It Feels Like Home
"Welcome back, Master," Pam sneered when I arrived at Fangtasia. Anubis were efficient, I was pleased. I looked over my child, hoping she was well. Pam and her costumes, I raised my brow at her attire.
"You're rather...conservative tonight," I mentioned dryly. She knew about Godric. She'd have felt it. She didn't bring it up though, and for that I was proud of the connection that remained between her and I. Pam knew me better than anyone. I wore a tracksuit, not in the mood to dress up; it would be for no one. Plus, I knew I looked good in one. Not many people could pull it off.
"I wasn't in the mood for black leather. We should have casual Fridays," she responded and I sat next to her at the table, the bar not opening for another two more hours. "We'll be hiring a new dancer. Justine ran off with some dreadful human without even telling us." I nodded, minutely.
"Casual Fridays would be fine, Pam," I said instead. "Although, tonight is Wednesday." I looked at her leopard print top. "It is quite becoming on you," I complimented.
"I know," she flashed me her teeth. "It feels much better when you are here." She didn't meet my eye when she said so. I smirked at my child's inability to say how she felt comfortably. I'd felt her relax when I walked in.
"This was a good thing to come home to," I said leaning in my seat, looking forward to the distraction of the new dancers we were auditioning.
"I thought you'd like them."
"Indeed," I sighed. I heard the door open signalling our first applicant was here. A woman came striding in, with a confidence I could respect. Quite the ensemble. She wore low-rise jeans with a sheer bra, brown leather boots and a fur vest. She stopped in front of us and I was interested in losing myself in a new woman. "Hello," my child and I said at the same time. Pam had good taste. I looked at her body, its tan. I knew it wouldn't be long before I got my release. She could hold my interest for a time.
"I'm Yvetta," she said, with accented English.
"Love the fur," Pam purred. Perhaps we could share...It'd been a while since Pam and I had done so. I saw her look at me and I knew she had the same idea. Whether she could dance or not...did it really matter? "You have the job, sweets," Pam said. "Can you start tonight?" Yvetta's eyes locked with mine and I felt the drum of her pulse. Mmm. I stood up and she bit her lower lip.
"Follow me to my office," I told her.
"Selfish," I heard Pam mutter. I rolled my eyes. I needed something to drink and Yvetta was definitely more than willing. I could smell her lust for me. I didn't look back to see if she was following me. I walked in and turned to lean against my desk. I wasn't hungry. She closed the door.
"Take off the fur," I told her. She was in just her top that could very well be a swimsuit or a bra. I didn't know, nor did I care. I spread my legs. She took the hint and stepped forward, her hands on my shoulders, going down my arms. I put a hand on her waist, her warm skin, reminded me of someone else for an instant before I pushed her hair to the side and she angled her neck invitingly for me.
I found myself licking her neck and brushing a hand over her breast, pushing aside the minimal cloth covering it. She made a noise of pleasure and I pinched her nipple, watching her, getting her aroused, despite the fact that she already was. I found myself disinterested. I wasn't in the mood for this. Strange. I bit her. I wasn't hungry. I sipped a little, her blood regular, bland.
I pulled back after only a moment. She stared at me with heavy lids, her hand going to my pants. I stood slightly and let her pull them down. She took my erection in her hand and kneeled taking me in her mouth. I wondered why I had so little interest in this. I was hard, but I didn't feel myself close to coming.
Pam walked into my office. "I forgot to mention," she said closing the door behind her. Yvetta stopped her moaning and pulled away.
"Yvetta," I said, she met my eyes and I went inside her mind for a moment. "Keep going," I glamoured. She nodded, and returned, her discomfort fading. I hardly ever glamoured women into doing what I liked. They were all willing and once I removed my influence, Yvetta was excited at being watched by Pam. This should have been fun.
Pam raised her eyebrow at me. "I get her next," she said.
"Whatever you like," I said. "What did you forget?" Yvetta stroked me, fondling my balls, swirling her tongue on the head of my cock. Normally, this might be interesting. I sighed. What was wrong with me?
"There have been reports of disturbances in Bon Temps," Pam drawled sitting in the chair next to Yvetta. Sookie. She reached out and stroked the woman's hair. Yvetta moaned and I felt the vibrations in her throat. That was nice.
"Do it again," I told her. She began making noises and I was finally enjoying her attentions. I closed my eyes briefly and saw a flash of Sookie underneath me. I opened them again and saw the new dancer's head bob up and down on my length, her mouth warm, my cock wet. "Hmm."
"I hear it's a maenad," Pam said.
"You haven't investigated?"
"It's very far." She raised an eyebrow.
I nodded. It would be asking too much of Pam to do anything outside of Shreveport. "Deeper," I ordered Yvetta. And to my pleasure she did just that. I hit the back of her throat. That was better. "I'll talk to you more when I'm not so...incapacitated."
Pam stood up and stared at our new dancer's backside. "I'm jealous," Pam sneered and left. I put my hand in Yvetta's hair. Dirty blond. For an instant I imagined it was Sookie doing this to me in my office, in that fucking lame virginal dress she wore the first night in Fangtasia. Who wears white to a vampire bar? How impractical she was. I released. Yvetta swallowed it all and I pulled her up, sitting in a chair and pushing her to straddle my new erection, and I entered her, pretending that it was another woman. This truly, disgusted me. I'd always just fucked who I pleased and enjoyed it. I should have been into this.
Yvetta needed some time to adjust, most women who had me did. It was nothing like the stretching I had experienced early this morning. I imagined she was beneath me, crying out. That was better.
I was supposed to be done with Sookie Stackhouse. I remembered that I would probably call on her services again, but I didn't think that would be anytime soon. Now that the maenad was disrupting her town, in my area, it would be inappropriate for me not to make an appearance, sooner rather than later. I couldn't help but thrill at the thought of seeing Sookie again and Yvetta was the receiver of my enthusiasm.
***
The next night, I walked through the employee entrance only to be greeted by Ginger on her knees bowing at my feet. I felt like kicking her. That was what Pam would have done.
"Stand up, Ginger, what is it?" I asked, not in the mood for her grovelling. I walked into my office, leaving the door open for her. I heard Pam enter right after me.
"I'm so sorry master, but he tricked me."
"Who tricked you Ginger?" I asked bored. Something smelled. Shifter or were. I picked my head up from rifling through the papers on my desk. I sniffed deeply.
"It smells disgusting in here," Pam said peeking into my office.
"He just showed up with those children and forced his way in! I'm so sorry master," she dropped to her knees again. Pam and I exchanged a look and went out into the bar where I saw someone who was mildly familiar with two unknown children. The source of the smell. Shifter. He must be the owner of the bar that Sookie works at in Bon Temps. I remembered Bill telling me about him.
"Mr. Northman," he stood up, blocking the children slightly. He had been sitting on one of the lounge chaises. The children were small and trembling at our appearance.
"Can I ask why, Mr. Merlotte," I straightened my suit jacket. "You have intruded on my premises during the day. When I was not here to deny you entry myself." I eyed him suspiciously.
"There's a thing in Renard Parish and you've done nothing," his nostrils flared and I wondered where he had gotten the nerve to address me like that.
"I was in Dallas, shifter, with your lovely telepathic waitress. Please, sit," I indicated and he reluctantly placed himself next to the children. I heard Pam make a huff of annoyance at the presence of the little ones. She had not had any when she was human. I had had six and I hardly ever put myself in the presence of them if I could help it, but that was the way things were done in my time. Rearing children was women's work. I glanced at them briefly, noting their fascination at seeing me. Bill obviously didn't make much of an impression on them. I snapped my fangs out. They were impressed. Teacup humans were incredibly amusing.
A brief conversation and I was soon flying through the air, with every intention of going to see my queen. I pondered what I could have the shifter do for me as a returning favour. I'd asked for Sookie, and then remembered myself. When I landed at the queen's, I greeted the guards who informed me that Bill was there, a little red flag waved in my head. Bill went to the queen, before me? He was truly insolent. I stepped across the path just as I saw Bill exiting. Interesting. Another strike for Bill, I tallied internally.
Bill knew nothing about hierarchy, that or he was too young to realize the importance of it. He should have informed me of the issue to me before Sophie-Anne. What was the relationship between him and our majesty? It seemed suspicious that she would even see him without him having to go through me first.
"What are you doing here, Eric?" he asked. His expression was one of pure hatred. Hmm, I guess our mutual lover had told him about our early morning rendez-vous. I grinned at him, loving holding this over him.
"Hoping the Queen knows how to kick a maenad's ass," I said, unable to withhold the smile from creeping across my face at the feeling of superiority from Bill.
"Now why would you want to do that?" he tested. "So you'd look like a hero to Sookie?" The way he said her name was laughable.
"Oh Billy," I sighed, fixing my hair. God only knew what it looked like after my flight. "This paranoia is really quite unbecoming. Has she, uh, mentioned me?" I tilted my head and I saw the flash in his eye, his control gone. He seized my suit in his hand and I looked down at it, disdainfully. "If you're picking a fight, old sport, I suggest you have a better plan then throwing me into the water," I could practically read his plan on his face. How come I couldn't get his full story? "I wonder..." I smirked at him.
"You're playing with fire, Eric, I would back off. You've had her, you can stop," he growled. See, when he said things like that, it only made me more interested in her.
"What made you give her your blood, Bill?" I asked. I saw the panic momentarily on his features. I hadn't known this for sure, I had suspected, and now, another strike for Bill.
"I was saving her life," he hissed.
"Isn't that convenient," I pronounced.
"You stay away from Sookie, Eric. Or I will tell the queen you're having human's sell vampire blood for you," he threatened. Ah. A few things came to mind.
One, he wasn't as close to the Queen as I thought. He believed to hold something over me, like I had Sookie over him.
Two, Lafayette had snitched. I would have to deal with that.
Three, he was seriously anxious about me digging deeper into his relationship with Sookie, which was beginning to seem more cracked then he let her know or anyone else know. But I knew. I'd had her. That wouldn't have happened otherwise.
The only thing that made sense was the Queen's interest in Sookie. Perhaps she knew of her abilities before Bill made reappearance in his old town. He had been living in Mississippi and had randomly decided to return to his family home, and I knew how much he hated it there. How did the Queen know about Sookie? She was a recluse, a twenty-five year old virgin.
"You wouldn't," I let him believe my mocking.
"I won't as long as you never come close to Sookie again," he rasped. Huh. I was intrigued. Was Bill worried about what the Queen would say if she knew I had fucked Sookie? That we'd exchanged blood. Would Bill's plans be ruined with my interference? My interest? Why hadn't the Queen approached me with the pursuit of Sookie, if that was indeed what was happening right under my nose? I was furious that this interaction was occurring without my knowledge. This was not how things were done.
"I don't like threats, Bill," I said.
He looked me up and down. "Neither do I."
I needed proof. I wanted to know his motivation.
***
The next night, I was in my office with Pam attending to my hair. "Is this one of those human things? You're emotional so you change your hair."
"Pam," I warned.
"Your poor beautiful blond head," she tutted. I looked in the mirror, slicking back my hair, which was much shorter and much darker now. "Can I have Yvetta now?" Pam pouted.
"I'll be downstairs," I said, opening the door to the office.
"It was cleaned and cleared out this morning," she said. I knew this. I went out into the bar where my employees were setting up for opening in a few minutes. I crooked my finger at Yvetta and she followed me. I thought effectively while I was having sex. I had a lot to think about. In not time, I had her chaining me to the wall, knowing my frustration would make me think faster. She was on me and I couldn't touch. Aggravated, I thought seriously about the Queen's intentions for Sookie.
Despite my vow to stay away from Sookie, I couldn't help but wanting to see her and ask her as much as I could, my curiosity nearly impalpable. Was it just her telepathy? Did the Queen know what Sookie truly was? What sort of fealty did Bill owe our majesty that had him leave Russell and return to Louisiana? I didn't care less when I was informed of his transfer, and when he checked in with me about his new living arrangements. He wasn't important, at least I hadn't thought he was, at the time. When I had known Bill decades ago, he had been with Lorena. He had changed around nearly completely when I saw him again, seven weeks ago.
Oddly, out of all of this, I found myself immensely annoyed with how this involved Sookie. I knew I shouldn't care how my Queen decided to manipulate the human woman, but I did. I cared a lot more than I liked. She had never asked for this. I was reminded of how I had tricked her into taking my blood, much like Bill. Well, the second time she had been more than willing...
Bill loved Sookie. He was in way over his head. I imagined how Sookie would respond when she discovered Bill's betrayal and I moaned in delight. They wouldn't last much longer, in fact. I came hard, the image of Sookie writhing underneath me, vivid in my head.
Lost in thought and in my lust for the young waitress, I was surprised when Pam descended the stairs with Sookie in a purple dress. Her eyes widened and I cursed, breaking my arms free of the chains, tossing Yvetta off. She looked shocked at what I had done and was confused as to Sookie's presence.
"There seems to be a problem, Eric," Pam drawled. "Sookie thought Bill might be down here."
"Yvetta, Pam, get out," I said through my teeth, beyond furious with my child. Sookie's heart was beating so loud, I couldn't hear anything else but it. I felt a rush of her pain at seeing me, her eyes quickly darting to my erection.
"Alright," she cleared her throat, trying to remain composed, despite the compromising scene in front of her. "He's not here."
"Why are you looking for Bill?" I tried to distract her from what she had just seen. I didn't want to talk about that. Would it help if I said I imagined her? Probably not. Humans were funny about this sort of thing. I would think it flattering.
She swallowed and I took in her appearance, my eyes narrowing in on the ring on her finger. "What is that?" I asked, lowly. I was going to murder Bill Compton. He proposed to her, took his manipulation to a whole new level. She said yes. I looked into her eyes. She took a step back.
"He proposed to me," she said, finding her voice. She was never scared of me. But she was hurt and she was worried. "Then he left."
"He left," I said flatly.
"Or he was kidnapped." I nearly laughed at that. I sobered quickly, Bill's situation sharpening into focus, and yet...
"Where were you?"
"The bathroom."
"You returned and he wasn't there." I imagined the scenario in my head.
"The table was in...it looked like a struggle," her voice never wavered. She was strong. She had more guts than Bill, more than I gave her credit for. I admired that far more than I should. "Could you put some clothes on? Thanks." I eyed her and went for my jeans, pulling them up my legs. She looked away, a blush on her cheek. Even in her worry for Bill, she wanted me. I felt the lust, mixed with her panic. "He's not here?"
"I was busy." I prodded into her reaction to my words. She did not like that.
"Can we go to your office or something?" she asked shortly, and turned on her heel racing up the steps. I beat her to the top, opening the door for her. She kept her head down as we made our way to my office. When I closed the door and rounded behind the desk she asked, "So you didn't take him? Don't lie to me." She narrowed her eyes at me, bold.
"I would never." She made a noise of disbelief. I sat down in my chair, watching her carefully. "That dress doesn't go well with your colour," I assessed. The violet looked awful with her complexion, she clearly didn't know her body well enough to choose a dress to suit her. She would look better in red. I remembered her in nothing but the Fangtasia t-shirt. Mmm, yes.
Her eyes flashed. "Excuse me?" she snapped.
"I would pick red for you," I found myself licking my lips and the blush staining her face deepened into the delightful colour I imagined her in. I was hard. I leaned back, watching her carefully. "You intrigue me. I wish that wasn't so."
"Me too," she muttered. "So. Was Bill taken?"
"I'd have to go there myself. I'll do so when I bid you goodnight. Anything else?" I wanted to throw her on this desk and drive myself into her. So much for avoiding her. I sighed.
Did I really need to fuck her again? I knew what it was like. I did.
"You changed your hair," she said indignantly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
I smiled briefly. "Anything else, Sookie?" She eased herself into the chair, as if she was going to stay longer. "Having second thoughts?"
"No, I – I love Bill," she looked down at her ring. She was uneasy – she wasn't sure about the marriage or Bill.
"That's not what I meant," I corrected her. She looked up, surprised. "Interesting that that's your first thought, however. Your second thoughts were those of trust. You trust me?"
Her mouth hang open. "What are you talking about?"
"You came here. When you didn't believe I actually took Bill. If I had, I would have done it up front. I do not hide and steal. I would have marched in there and ordered him to come and if that didn't work, then I would physically have removed him. With his personality, everyone within a five mile radius would know Bill was moving against his resistance. Perhaps he left you on purpose." She looked away from my gaze. "You trust me. I'm not sure why, but you do."
"I don't trust you," she said quickly.
"You're relying on me Sookie. You can't do this on your own, and you're here, looking for help."
"I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice."
"The maenad was dealt with, I understand," I said, watching her carefully.
"No thanks to you," she said.
"Disappointed that I didn't save you?"
"No!" she said snippily. "We didn't need you."
"Very well," I said. "So, you want me to help you find Bill, even if he left you intentionally?"
She didn't like that last bit.
"Why would he leave? If you said 'yes', most men would be ecstatic to have that word said to them by their leading lady," I smirked at her.
"It's none of your business what happened. You just need to know that I'm Bills," she gulped.
"Suddenly you're in the frame of mind to be claimed," I stood up, walking over. I thought about how the Queen would respond to this knowledge. "I will help you, Sookie. I'll walk you to your car and then I'll go to..."
"Maison de Paris," she said.
I refrained from snorting. That was where he chose to propose? How cliché. I opened the office door and she saw this as a sign to leave. When she walked passed me, I inhaled her scent and briefly wondered if I could convince her to have sex with me.
"You're different," she said once we were outside.
I was astonished by this. "How do you mean?"
"It's like you've forgotten about Godric," she said. I felt my body full of rage and she gasped. I whipped her around holding her tight to my chest, the growl deep in my throat.
"I've forgotten nothing," I hissed. She blinked and I felt her fear me. "I live. He is dead."
"You're right," she gasped. "He wouldn't have wanted you to be upset." I kissed her. I let go of her arms and my hands were flat against her back, pushing her into my erection. She moaned and her arms wrapped around her my neck. I backed her up into a car, never breaking from her lips. Her warm wet mouth moved against mine in a frenzy, where nothing made sense but the two of us, joined in any way we could. I wanted to rip that disgusting dress off her body, but knew I couldn't, not here. She wouldn't allow for anything more than us kissing. I was fine with that, which was unusual. She set me on fire with just her lips on mine more than anything else. I had felt hollow most of the time since Dallas and now with her, I was alive again. I couldn't have this. I'd have to rediscover my old spark, that didn't involve her. This was dangerous. I hadn't survived for a thousand years by forming attachments to humans. She pulled away, sharply breathing for air, I dropped my lips to her throat, kissing, scraping.
"Eric!" I pulled away, my eyes begging for her to ask me to continue. "Take me home," she said.
"Your car?"
"It's not mine. It's Bill's," I looked at it. It was pathetic. I'd have to search it later. I nodded and led her to mine. Her eyes widened at my red corvette and I opened the door for her. She slid in, looking impressed. It was perfect. I drove her home in comfortable silence. I pulled up in her driveway, she needed a new one. I remembered her mentioning that actually. I perked up at that. She seemed embarrassed as I evaluated the damage the maenad had inflicted on her home. I was sure it didn't naturally look like this. "Maryann did this..."
I didn't know who Maryann was but..."Are you planning on cleaning it anytime soon? You went out with Bill instead of attending to your house?"
Her eyes glared into mine. "I needed a break."
"Indeed. Well, Bill is a great vampire to forgive you after fucking me," I said, looking away and revving the engine pointedly. She grumbled getting out of the car, slamming it shut. I looked over, smirking. "I'll be seeing you, my lover." She gasped, glaring at me, as I tore out of her driveway, a thousand things on my mind. I went to the restaurant. I could care less about Bill's whereabouts. But between Sookie and the Queen...I had to tread carefully over what we were about to discover.
AN: I was going to leave this until tomorrow, but unlike Sookie, I can't hold out because I'm a fucking whore for reviews. Thanks guys! I love you all to each and every star, to the moon, around the sun and back again.
Also, I'm stupid and forgot to mention my beat seastarr08 so here's double the props!! I think she knows these characters better than me!