Disclaimer: I do not own Southern Vampire Mysteries or True Blood. Though, if I did…. Well… you know how that shit works out.
A/N: Thank you to xxericbitesxx, DaniD32, murgatroid-98, pkp033, BrightDarkLight, Urun and poplar-kat for reviewing. As it turns out I do have a little time.
Ohio
Really, I didn't think Eric would go for it, I didn't even think he'd allow me to fly home to get my stuff. When he agreed in the motel room after calling a woman he said was his lawyer and setting a meeting to draw up our contract, I was needless to say so surprised I could have fainted. I didn't, but it was just how shocked I was.
He didn't seem thrilled about it though, not that I really cared, but I supposed if I was a vampire that was now in a flight cabin enclosed with several humans that kept staring at me, as well as a few other vampires that were staring at what he claimed was 'his property' I wouldn't be to happy either. But here we were on a jet heading straight for the Columbus, Ohio airport moving at who knows miles an hour…
And to think it was only 3 A.M. The vampire was a psychotic driver, and that wasn't something I was happy to know. But as he could see just fine in the dark, I guess it was acceptable for him to keep the lights off…. Pass in front of semi's…. And terrify his passengers as he kept an almost amused grin on his face the entire time.
If I could help it, I never wanted to drive with him again. I let my eyes move towards the window as he insisted on having the isle seat. My only reasoning for this would be that he wanted to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. Part of me knew this to be the truth, but another part of me didn't know what to think. I had actually spent the time in silence between us to think of my life and what it was amounting to on a scale of 1 to 10.
Right now I was thinking my rating was a 2. Selling my blood off to a vampire but at the same time keeping myself, and my family safe.
Hopefully. I shut my eyes leaning back before Eric's voice went through my ears with that soft as silk whisper, "I already have a lot of your clothing." My eyes moved over to him and I stared for a moment as he was reading a flight catalogue, I raised a brow at it before slowly looking back out the window, "And you're guitar, do you play?"
"Not for you." I replied back coolly before hearing a soft chuckle and the shifting of our shared armrest. An arm move around my waist and my seatbelt strained as the blonde vampire pulled me close to his side.
My eyes flicking up as his head bowed and he breathed in my ear, "Watch it Kylie, this is a favor. I do not enjoy flying but as it takes less time…" He moved his head back and forth in a 'you get the idea' gesture. His fingers dug lightly into my hip, not causing pain but making me most certainly uncomfortable, "I expect you to pay me back at some point."
He held me a little longer than necessary and I pulled away from him turning so I sat sideways on my seat with my back and head against the window glowering at him. His eyes simply watched before he turned his gaze back down to the catalogue, "What is the point of these things?"
"Spend money." I replied back with a lightly irritated tone, it was ignored before he slowly put it away and leaned back with his arms crossed. The silence held for a few moments before he looked at me immediately.
"Entertain me."
I blinked with my mouth open for a moment and eyes wide at this ludicrous order before shaking my head in confusion and staring again, "What?"
"Entertain. Me." He repeated, eyes holding a glint of something I couldn't quite place. I slowly looked up at the ceiling and glared, as though asking the gods "why?" Then looked back at him with a simple frown.
"You're a vampire…"
"So."
"Shouldn't you have like… centuries of experience on how to entertain yourself?" I questioned simply tilting my head, "Why do I have to do it?"
"Because I do not like flying and I am only here because of you. Here to for I have cooperated with you, now humor me and entertain me." I blinked and slowly relaxed back against the jet's inner wall and simply lidded my gaze. A scowl came to my face but I brought my feet up on the edge of my chair and rested my hands between my legs interlaced.
"Fine. How?"
"…Answer my questions?" I tilted my head at this and then rubbed my eyes. If it weren't for the fact I slept all day I would have been out by now. Running a finger through my brown hair my other hand came up and fiddled lightly with my charm before I sighed and nodded.
"Alright."
He was pleased that she agreed to play his little game, he could tell that being this close to him, as well as feel it, was making her a tad frustrated and annoyed. Not that he cared really… if anything it amused him to see her squirm like a small child being told to sit still for hours on end. The bite mark on her neck hidden by his collar, which was outrageously high, did irritate him a little though. So slowly he reached up and across her form and pulled it down. Eyes narrowing on her as she reached up for it only for his hand to gently pull it away making her glare at him again.
He let his hand come and rest lightly on her knee though seeing her immediately flinch at the touch before settling again as he drug his hand down her shin then away murmuring simply, "How long have you lived in Ohio?"
"Three years." He blinked at this and then frowned looking at her. Bringing the armrest down he rested his arm on it before leaning forward and planting his chin on his elbow watching her now closely. Taking in her reactions.
"Where did you live before that?" There was a simple blink giving a signal to him that she was very prepped in doing this. Apparently she had been asked this question many times before.
"I lived for a few years in Arkansas, about five in Alaska before that. Spent four in Utah and before all that three years in England."
She was well rounded in places she had lived then, chuckling softly he murmured, "I take it your parents were of an occupation that required such moving then?" She didn't seem amused but nodded anyways. He felt through their little bond that she was actually quite annoyed. "Why does that bug you?"
"Stop reading me." Was the immediate hiss, he paused at the defensiveness and raised a brow at her glare.
Reaching forward he grabbed her shoulder and yanked her, causing her seat belt to strain again and hold her close mumbling, "Now about that, how did you know I was?"
"None of your business Eric." He glared immediately and his hand came up to her neck's back and pulled her closer. Making eye contact and smelling as well as feeling her fear he murmured softly, "You are my property Kylie, that makes you my business." Slowly he released her and watched as she practically threw herself backwards against the wall laying flat to it away from her.
He heard her heartbeat pounding and also felt the gaze of about three other vampires, which made him slowly turn his head and glare at them. Immediately watching them avert their eyes before he turned back to his frightened little human. Grasping her hand he felt her tense and keep the scream inside her, he would thank her for that as it would be bad for her to cause a ruckus, and slowly, coaxingly turned her so her back was forced against him after he lifted the arm rest.
His arm tight under her chest, feeling the heartbeat through his shirt beat a mile a minute he murmured very softly, "Calm down…" Though he had no need to but had observed her do the basic methods before, he began to do a trained breathing, soon feeling her start to move with it instinctively. "We do not need you causing a panic or having an attack of one on the plane…"
There was a slow nod and he let his arm go loose before watching her slowly move away again, his eyes lidded as he fought back a small smile at her shaken but slowly calming form. His vampire nature found it almost comical while his Viking nature growled that the little female was much to temperamental and needed a large male to protect and conquer that fiery nature she seemed to have. Deciding his vampire nature was better for this moment, once again he ignored the Viking that snapped and snarled angrily. He would tend to his other needs that his former human self was concerned with later.
"Do you like me?" He questioned randomly.
"Hell no!"
A grin came to his face at this and he chuckled before leaning, acting as though her near panic attack never happened. It was fine with him to continue his game now that she was no longer near causing a problem. He still wanted answers though on how she was able to tell he knew her emotions, but like before, they would wait. The subject was touchy and he didn't want to stir up another commotion with her.
He would do it when they were at his home, or even her home. But not right now in close quarters with dozens around them. He had kept his voice low so others wouldn't hear him before, and with the chance of a yelling match that no doubt her temper might bring about he wasn't going to risk it.
"How long have you been playing the guitar?" He blinked as she looked at him for a moment with a raised brow.
"About eight years." Now that was interesting, he wondered why she began to begin with and at a young age. But not wanting to dig much into that subject he looked ahead.
"Who taught you?"
"Jack."
Not that didn't add up, unless she had known him for a while and they moved the same place several times… he left that alone too and tried to think of something else before looking at the charm around her neck holding the Egyptian god. Then the one on her wrist holding the Egyptian goddess. He was quiet for a few moments before he simply questioned, "Where did you get them?" Her eyes flicked down at his wave of hand before she looked off to the side and then sat up a little straighter. He noticed as she let a little bit more of her guard down, which of course just fascinated him. The idea of questioning a simple object making her react in a way was a curious prospect.
"I found the necklace… and my great-grandma gave me the bracelet." He slowly nodded before looking up at the sky as it passed by through the window across the isle.
Looking back at her he remained silent then continued, "and do you believe in their silly tales?"
There was no answer as she stared at him for a few moments with a distant look then shrugged looking off away from him at the seat in front of her's back. He held the quiet for a few more moments before opening her mouth only for her to interrupt his process of talking saying, "Do any of us know?"
He shrugged and then leaned back in his seat replying, "The Christians think they do, just about every religion does."
"Well I'm not like every religion. I don't know… but…" He watched her stare at her lap, "I'd like those tales to be real… everyone wants at least something to grasp onto that's not always changing in their life."
"And your life changing Kylie?" She looked up at him with a scowl now and turned with her back to him after sitting in the chair correctly.
"I've entertained you, now I'm going to sleep." He chuckled lightly at this comment and shut his eyes bringing his fingers up and dragging them through her soft hair again before she snapped, "Stop touching me."
He, as usual, ignored her.
……….. I managed to get only a little sleep on the plane ride home. Mostly because of the fact I knew the bastard was staring at my back the entire time was unnerving and his question kept going through my head. Was my life changing, Of Course It Well Bloody Damn Was! I was now not only part of the bastard retinue it seemed, but also a prospecting factor in his income! I felt like a product now… and it made me irate and annoyed, as well as objectified and small.
When we had exited the jet, walking down that bright yellow line onto a trolley while still on the flight line, and then carried into the airport, I felt relieved to be around actual people again. It was almost lovely to smell the pollution in the air and the sounds of arguing mixed with that dull roar of talking and people yelling in happiness to see each other. Eric couldn't seem less thrilled if he tried I guess. His hand wrapped around my own and dragging me with to the luggage bay where he grabbed a black bag and threw it on his shoulder and then proceeded to once again walk out.
Either he was really hungry, or he just didn't like people. Turning to me however once we were out of the airport and on a bus. Soon we got off at a rental dealership and he walked in, only to walk out minutes later, he held a dead serious look. Slowly he handed me a pair of keys and murmured simply, "While I'm asleep you will drive to your home." This made me stare for a few moments in thought before opening my mouth, "The trunk." I silenced at the mere mental image of it and fought back a grin.
"What if I wreck?" In his aggravated mood a hand grabbed the back of my neck again and he yanked me forward staring at me with a silencing, take all your good feelings away, glare.
Lifting my head back so I could stare up into his very cross, strict eyes, he ordered, "You will Not Wreck. I will beat you if I wake up only to find myself in a wrecked car. And for that matter, do not attempt to destroy it either."
Clearly he didn't trust me. Our eyes holding for a moment, as the silence was intense before I slowly nodded and he let go. Digging in his pack pocket he took out the small black object and handed it to me…
He had my wallet. I opened my mouth to snap at him but a hand came up and I silenced as his eyes expressed he was in no mood for it. I just had to ask as it was starting to bug me.
"Why the hell are you so pissy suddenly? I thought getting off the plane would have put you in a good mood." He looked up and around then back at me with a raised brow.
"Dawn is less than half an hour away… and I'm Hungry." His eyes held that craved look before I slowly frowned at this and felt fear edge up my spine making me shiver and back away slightly. A hand shot out and grabbed my arm, as he stared down at me he growled lowly and almost feral, "Do not try and run, it will tempt me." I nodded and he shoved me along holding the bag before standing at the back of a silver Lexus, using the keys I opened the trunk and watched him throw the bag in and using it for a pillow slowly slipped in. I blinked and tilted my head.
"You gonna fit in there?" He simply rolled curling lightly with his back to me. For a few moments all I did was stare before it left me, "Alright then, sleep tight Eric." I shut the trunk and stared at it for a moment before skipping to the front of the Lexus and opening the front door. Once in the driver's side I shut it and buckled up before adjusting the mirror, seat, and everything so I could see.
"IF you weren't a vampire, I'd hope you'd suffocate you bastard." I mumbled staring at the overhead mirror.
"I Heard That!" A muffled grumble from said vampire came from behind the back seat.
Looking over my shoulder I couldn't help it as I snapped back, "I Meant Ya To!" Looking back ahead I sighed lightly, "…Bastard."
A/N: Alright! This will probably be the last chapter till next weekend, I'm hoping to update once a week, and if I can do that, I'll be as good as gold! Hope to see you then! Once again, gimme a shout on what ya thought in the usual fashion.