AN: Hey, guys. I got this chapter out super quick because of the number of reviews I got! I was so happy! And it honestly just pumped me up to write and write and write on this chapter. I hope you guys like it and please review!


Chapter 19: The Best Part is the Check-In

The Hotel Carmilla was a melty pot for all sorts of supernaturals mainly because it was the only vampire friendly hotel to grace Dallas or the whole of Texas for that matter. Normally, the segregation between humans and all of the things that went bump in the night was too extensive to allow for a place where humans and vampires could share a room across from each other.

Though from the matching designer label outfits that the staff was wearing and the chandeliers hanging in the entrance, Carmilla wasn't suffering from its openness.

"I have you down for a rooftop bed with open access to the sauna and spa." I resisted the urge to ask how much all of that was going to cost, swallowing down my initial terror as dollar signs flashed across my vision. The knowing smirk that the desk clerk was giving me was enough to make her thoughts clear. "Someone must really like you, Miss Nott Elska. Unique name."

Also not the one on my driver's license, I thought bitterly, pulling out my phone. "I'm sorry - could you give me a moment? The person who gave me the reservation-"

"Mr. Northman," she purred and I hated that appreciative sound more than I thought I would. Her eyes went wide as I let out a low hiss, my lips curling away to flash a peek at some seriously sharp teeth.

"Yep," I snapped, punching in his number. "That's the one."

"Really, pet you need to learn how to be without me for an evening," was my greeting as my call connected and I stepped to the side of the reception desk.

I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to respond. "How much did all this extra bullshit cost?"

"About as much as your little driveway renovation," Eric replied casually and in the distance I heard the conversation of couples and the beeping of city traffic. Was he already here? Odd. Although it had taken him only seconds to get us to the airport so I suppose a two-hour plane ride from Bon Temp was of little grievance.

"I won't even use it," I hissed into the receiver, thinking about the basic sum of a new driveway. All that money for a facial and some steam. "We'll be too busy-"

"I told you that you won't be accompanying us in our search for Godric," came his low reply.

"And I told you that you can shove it and I can do whatever the fuck I want to," I snipped back, seeing a bit of red. How dare he? What was I supposed to do - sit back with some champagne while my sister went on some goose chase with him and Bill? I mean, fuck. Even Jessica was invited.

A light breeze brushed along my nape and ear, the scent of trees and sea salt reaching my nose. "This isn't up for debate."

Eric gave me a warning glance, pulling away from where he was leaning over my shoulder to make his way over to the woman at the reception area who had been organizing papers suspiciously close to where I had been talking on the phone. And the blinding smile that she was flashing the 6'5" Viking made me want to gag. Ugh. Why wouldn't she? Bitches loved Eric.

Feeling like a petulant child, I followed after him with a scowl deep enough to permanently imprint into my skin.

"Bonne soirée," he rumbled and I resisted the urge to reach across the counter and rip this girl's eyes out as she gave a tittering giggle. Jealousy. Goddammit, I was jealous. The beginning of the end was quickly approaching and the catalyst was going to be this woman and her stupid fake eyelashes. "La chambre de Mademoiselle Nott Elska est libre?"

I sent him a withering glare as he raised a brow in my direction. Yes, Eric. We all could hear your flawless French. We were in awe of your very presence. Stupid asshole.

The desk clerks eyes flicked to me briefly before she replied. "Bien sûr. Il a été demandé par vous, après tout."

I was not going to embarrass myself by asking what the fuck they were talking about. Instead, I feigned cold indifference, forcing my death glare down to a loose strand of my sweater. I. Hated. Him. So. Much. I ripped out the loose fabric, the thread quickly becoming longer as it ate away at the bottom of my sweater. Which made me ten times more enraged.

"Très bon-" Eric started.

"Can't you speak in Swedish?" I snapped, unable to control myself. I winced as the clerk's brows went up, a delicate cough escaping her as Eric turned his big body towards me, his eyes twinkling with mirth. Oh, fuck him.

"She doesn't know old Swedish," he said with an even tilt to his words. Like he was trying to hide his own glee at my obvious agitation. "And you don't know French." He gave me a long once over before his lips curled up in a smirk. "It's the best of both worlds."

My hands gave a spark of purple as red flashed across my vision. I was going to- His hand snapped out, grabbing onto mine before the clerk could catch sight of my little outburst. His breath was cool against my burning ears as he leaned in. "Let's not do that out in the open, pet."

I scowled, staring daggers into the impeccable marble floors. He was right, of course. My hands stopped throbbing as I forced the energy back into my system, yanking back on that thread of power. His big hand stayed around mine as he continued on in French with the desk clerk who had gotten an irritating pout on her face.

After a few more moments of amiable chatter, Eric turned to me, picking up my suitcase and taking my bag gently from my shoulder.

"Did you tell her not to add all of that extra shit?" I asked as we made our way through the entryway of the hotel and to a corridor on the right.

Hotel Camilla had been renovated from a cheery bed and breakfast only a year ago, giving in its original sunny exterior to a darker theme. The entryway had a crystal chandelier and a set of grand wooden staircases off of it's double plated doors that were vaulted shut and sun-protected during the day. From the stairs, there was access to a lounge and library as well as an outdoor swimming pull that had its own waterfall and was themed after Havana nights.

At the moment, everything was open to the night sky, every window and skylight letting in moonlight and the city lights. But once dawn hit, this place would be dark enough to support the particular limitations that being a vampire provided.

"Since you'll be staying in the hotel area for the duration of your stay," he said on a sigh as we passed an elaborate display of glass cubes and went down a long hallway to where I assumed the elevators were. His eyes flicked to me. "No, I didn't."

"I'm not staying here, you ignorant-" I stopped, the smell of whiskey and something metallic reaching my nose just before we passed the open seating area for the bar. I halted, taking in the dark loveseats and the blood-red walls. Eventually, the front seating gave way to an equally red couch area and then a sleek, black marble bar keep area that was shot through with gold and scarlet. I was nearly frothing at the mouth. "Do you think they serve blood cocktails?"

"Is this all it takes to distract you?" I blinked, coming back to myself swiftly. I had just revealed a little bit more of myself to Eric and I wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or not.

There were still areas that I was unsure about. General attraction was alright - maybe even a surface level deeper than that, to the like phase. But giving everything to a man like Eric Northman was dangerous. If he was dumb it would be easy. But he wasn't. He knew how lethal he was and that meant that not only was he deadly but that he was also secure. Vulnerability in both parties was the basis of a good relationship and I still wasn't sure if Eric could give me that.

"I'm a bartender," I muttered defensively, mentally marking down the bar's location so that I could return later tonight. He had that look in his eyes meant that he wanted to continue poking fun at me so I quickly changed the subject. "I can help you, you know. I'm not useless-"

"And that's precisely why you won't be dancing around the area 9 nest." His eyes met mine as he hit the button for the elevator, their depths swirling with startling earnesty. "You are far too valuable."

"And my sister isn't?" I snapped, slapping at his hand as he pushed me gently into the dinging elevator.

"Exactly," he replied simply.

I bit my cheek, staring grumpily at our reflection in the mirrored walls. He was significantly taller than me - bigger in every way actually. And despite the golden boy combination of blue eyes and blonde hair, there was a wildness that cut through that, making him look almost barbaric. And looking at my own reflection - the unruly matt of my black hair and my high cheekbones, the striking match of my icy eyes with my dark makeup - I could see that rabid edge there too.

And Eric's eyes were definitely on my ass. I glared into his skull from the mirror until his gaze slowly traveled upward, heated and heavy.

"Eye's up here, buddy," I snip. Don't get me wrong - it was flattering. But not in the middle of an argument. Right now I needed him to stop staring at me like he was ten seconds from sinking his teeth into my ass.

"There's plenty to stare at up top too, love," he drawled, his eyes running lazily along my face, lapping up every detail from my lips to the tilt of my ears. And then they settled on my breasts, his tongue running slowly along his lower lip.

"Pig."

"Angel."

The elevator gave a low ding, opening up to a vacant hallway with deep olive walls and a cliche plum floor. Huffing and blushing, I hurried out and to the left.

"Your room is this way, Runa," Eric called, sounding amused enough to get me agitated. Like I hadn't been before.

Grumbling, I followed him down the hall, knowing that later I would have serious trouble finding my room. "You can't stop me from coming with you tomorrow."

"I always enjoyed a challenge," Eric replied nonchalantly. Gritting my teeth, I jogged to catch up with his long strides, grabbing onto his arm to stop him. Slowly, a brow rose.

"I can handle this," I whispered, keeping his gaze. My fingers tightened around his wrists as if I could force some logic into him. Or maybe even perform a bit of mind-bending.

His eyes darkened to storm clouds and rolling waves. "Like you handled that thing that attacked you and your sister?"

I wasn't prepared for that. Flinching, I let go of his hand like he was made of lava. What did I say to that? Shivers of awareness coursed through my body as I remembered the pain, the feel of someone else digging around inside of me. Closing my eyes, I tried to empty my thoughts. I had been pathetic. Worse than pathetic, I had been useless. So utterly useless. I hadn't been able to even save myself.

Cool fingers skimmed along my cheek, cupping my face. "Whatever took Godric is just as bad as the creature that attacked you and your sister."

I blinked back tears, wrestling with my own muddled memories and the throbbing of my shoulder and side. Slowly, I searched out his gaze, finding his eyes troubled and his brows knit together. "He's that strong?"

"Far stronger than even I," he whispered, his face solemn.

Something inside of me twisted. He wouldn't let me go with them. But he also didn't know what I could do. Showing him that would make our relationship so much more difficult. It would mean I trusted him. It would mean that he was carrying one of my secrets. Was I ready for that? Anxiety beat through me.

"Your room is here," he murmured, taking his hand away and gesturing at the door that we had stopped in front of. Eric's face was still drawn in tight, unhappy lines.

"He means a lot to you," I blurted out, feeling like I had seen something private.

Eric's face wasn't one that I would consider an open book. All vampires seemed too inhuman for such a term, the years dulling them to emotions. Which meant that if I could see it then those feelings ran deep.

What kind of man was Godric if Eric was this emotionally invested?

A silent war waged itself in Eric's eyes as he stared down at me, his hands tightening and loosening on the straps of my bags.

"Yes," he finally breathed, the admission sounding like so much more than that simple word. I waited, watching the vulnerability play across his face for a moment. "Godric… gave me life. He made me what I am today."

I blinked, taken aback momentarily. "He-he's your maker?"

Instinctively, I got out my key card and slipped it into the door, grabbing his arm and dragging him inside.

One of the great mysteries to humans was the process of becoming a vampire. When the epidemic struck America, the old tales of stories like Dracula and Interview with the Vampire struck through. A whole department of historians came out of the woodwork, trying to dissect the origins and rituals of modern vampires. But the rebirth of humans was a tight-kept secret.

Luckily for me, I had Sookie so I knew that the bond between a maker and progeny wasn't something to be taken lightly. In some ways, it sounded more like a master-slave dynamic. If a maker wanted to, they could order their progeny to go eat sunlight at any time. They can forever locate each other and can even feel when each other die. That kind of power… If Godric got into the wrong hands he could theoretically order Eric to do anything under the influence of someone else.

That thought was...terrifying.

Eric's eyes flicked to my shut door, an amused smile curling his lips before he turned back to me.

"He's your maker?" I repeated.

"Yes." There was that little smirk.

I gnawed at my lip, pacing back and forth. Not only was Sookie in some serious shit but so was Eric. And I could help. I could definitely help. Being used for my new abilities was the least of my worries at this point. Unwanted, my mind flashed back to his office room, my fever running high and the wounds on my back and side festering. Without him, I was sure I would be dead twice over - once from the attack and the next from my frankly stupid attempt to heal on my own.

"What if I could help you?" I asked hesitantly, stopping to stare up at him.

"Whether you can help or not isn't a question," Eric said on a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "The danger that would come when you inevitably have to use your abilities in the presence of mortals-"

"I know," I cut him off. "But what if I could help you more than you thought I could?"

Those blue eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Runa?"

For a moment, doubt made me pause. Was I really going to do this? I mean this was Eric Northman I was talking about. A month ago I had basically been an on-call nightmare whore for him. But… I trusted him. What an odd thought. Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes and dipped deep into that cauldron of bubbling darkness that was inside of me, hot shocks coursing through my stomach. Purple sparks pricked my fingertips, a zinging heat starting in my arms.

This was how it went. The pain right before…

Eric inhaled sharply, his fangs clicking down as he gave a snarl. His eyes dilated until there was only a sliver of blue around darkness.

Being invisible was a lot like using my other abilities - like letting my skin slip for a moment to reveal something deep and carnal inside of me. I was half beast in this form, barely clinging on to what made me human. Every part of my body was hyper-aware of the Viking standing just in front of me. And - I caught my breath, stepping towards Eric.

His lips curled away from his fangs as if he sensed me, his eyes flicking around the room. "I don't like these games, mare," came his low snarl.

He was irritated, I realized, glee making me almost dizzy. I shifted a little bit closer, sliding forward until I was almost chest to chest with him. He really couldn't see me. My fingers itched. What would he do if I touched him? I couldn't slide through people. I had done a series of trial and error tests after that night when Sookie had found me and it seemed like inanimate objects were the only thing I could go through. Without thinking, my hand raised, reaching towards the unforgiving line of his jaw. My teeth ached, my blood pumping hot with want.

I wanted to kiss him.

I wanted to fuck him.

I wanted-

Eric's fingers closed around my wrist, my abilities fizzling and dying just as my fingertips grazed over the rough cut of his jaw. His eyes were unforgiving as they stared down at me, shaking and dazed. In that form, I could barely control my base urges. I gulped down a breath. No. This had established that I definitely couldn't control my base urges.

"I - I could help you," I whispered raggedly, trying to regain whatever thread of thought I had had before. Eric's eyes had gotten darker, if that were possible, his hand clasped tightly around my wrist but not moving it from where it rested on his face.

"What were you about to do?" he asked, his words like gravel. I shivered, my breasts flattening against his chest.

How did I answer that? I couldn't admit that I lost my mind every time I went into that form. He definitely wouldn't agree to let me go if he knew that.

"N-nothing," I stuttered, looking away. "Just showing you-"

"That you could touch whatever you wanted?" he whispered and I winced before nodding rigidly, making his lips curl upwards. His voice deepened. "And if you were able to touch me, what after that?"

I reeled back, his hand staying tightly locked around my wrist so that I was yo-yoed back into his chest. His eyes burned into mine, the rough slide of his jacket and belt buckle across my abdomen, a reminder of just how few clothes separated our skin.

Heart fluttering, I shook my head, unable to come up with anything more than an incoherent jumble of thoughts. I would have bit your lip. I would have slipped my hand into your hair. I would have-

His breath blew cold and dewy across my lips, those eyes of his narrowing and then flicking down to my lips where they stayed. Lightly his lips pressed against mine, the hand holding my wrist going down to my waist as the other tangled in my hair, Step after step he guided me back until my back hit a wall, his eyes unflinching as he stared down at me.

"When did you learn how to do that?"

He was talking to me but with how close he was, those unforgiving lips moved against my own with every single word, making my insides cramp. Slow, torturous want started to build in my gut.

One brow quirked. "Runa?"

"I - um-" Desperately, I tried to track down my own thoughts. "A week."

Slowly, that hand moved down from my waist, teasing along the band of my skirt before kneading my ass. Each squeeze was a direct assault on my sex, a fire beginning to burn low inside of me. Cautiously, almost like he was scared that any movement would scare me away, he released me, his arms coming up to rest against the wall on either side of me. Caging me in but giving me enough room to duck away from him if I wanted to.

"If you want to touch me so bad, here I am," he whispers, his words rough as he runs a ravenous gaze over my body. The muscles of his shoulders roll, looking like he was somehow caged as well.

Mindlessly, my hands raised, hesitating for a moment before they were skimming along the smooth, hard column of his neck. As I watched, half in wonder, half in agony, a low growl pushed through his body, vibrating along my fingertips. Eric's head lowered, his nose skimming along mine until he was at my throat, his breath cool against my overheated skin. Blunt teeth scraped along my neck, the prick of his fangs only a light tease before he was kissing away the sting.

Choking on a moan, I arched towards him, my fingers curling into his hair to try and draw him closer.

"You smell so fucking good," he growled, the admission sounding angry on his tongue as he nipped at my collarbone, his arms still firmly planted on the wall. My fingers tugged on the strands of hair at his nape, making a rumble of approval vibrate through him.

His lips slanted over mine, his breath minty against my tongue. All I would have to do is lean forward. One of his hands curled into my hair, his eyes heavy with arousal.

"You're going to stay here tomorrow." The words were like ice water through my system, jolting me back to a colder state of mind. His eyes were hard as he stared down at me, that one hand still tangled in my hair.

"Excuse me?" My eyes narrowed dangerously, letting go of the chunk of hair I still had in my hand to shove at his shoulders. Eric's eyes darkened as I squirmed more, rubbing along his front in a wild attempt to get free.

"If anything this new ability means that you're more valuable," he said softly.

"Yes," I said with a sarcastic smile, raising my brows. "Exactly. I'm valuable to you."

A deep sigh broke from him as I tried to squirm away some more. "And other people if they knew what you were or what you can do."

"You're not the boss of me," I snapped, slightly out of breath because of my struggle. "And I can do whatever the fuck I want to. So if I want to follow my sister to your little vampire hideout then I will."

A snarl curled his lips as he growled down at me, his eyes flashing. One of his hands came up to curve around my throat. Not hurting me, not even really pressing - just there… a reminder of who I was talking to. "I will keep you chained in my room if I catch you anywhere near us tomorrow."

I bared my teeth up at him, returning his snarl. "I can go through inanimate objects, you arrogant ass. So chain me all you want."

His teeth gleamed dangerously down at me, his fangs flashing sharply. "Stay in the hotel, pet."

I sneered. "I'm not your lapdog, Eric."

"I've realized," he stated blandly. For a moment, we glared at each other. Finally, his hand squeezed down on my neck, his shoulders rolling before his fangs slowly clicked back although his eyes remained hard. "Stay hidden. Stay in the hotel-"

"I can stay hidden with you," I whispered insistently.

"With only a week of experience with this new ability?" he questioned, his eyes hard. "Have you tried to stay invisible all day?"

I flinched, his words containing a little too much logic. But the alternative was admitting he was right. And that wasn't going to happen. I implored him silently with my eyes. "I can help you."

"Yes," he murmured. "You can. But you won't. Not when there are so many people who could expose you for what you are."

"A mare," I finished bitterly and he tilted his head.

"Wild," he whispered. "You couldn't control yourself in that form. I could see it on your face when you appeared again."

My stomach dropped. How could he see that? Damn him. I bit my cheek, looking away to the sliver of light coming through my door from the hallway.

Strong fingers tugged at my hair gently. "Stay in the hotel."

I didn't answer, refusing to look at him as he waited a beat before pulling away from me on a sigh. I hated him for being right. And I hated myself for being so weak that I couldn't control my own powers and giving him the opportunity to be right.

"You won't risk yourself while I'm here to watch over you," he murmured, pausing for a moment before giving a braid in my hair a light tug and quietly leaving my room.

For a long moment, I stared at that sliver of light from under my door before stooping to dig around in my purse and getting my phone.

"Are you here?" Sookie answered, her voice giddy.

"Yeah." That sliver of light wavered, darkening as someone passed by. "When are you leaving tomorrow?"


Here's a French translation! Compliments from the chef.

"Good evening," he rumbled and I resisted the urge to reach across the counter and rip this girl's eyes out as she gave a tittering giggle. Jealousy. Goddammit, I was jealous. The beginning of the end was quickly approaching and the catalyst was going to be this woman and her stupid fake eyelashes. "Is the room for Miss Nott Elska available?"

I sent him a withering glare as he raised a brow in my direction. Yes, Eric. We all could hear your flawless French. We were in awe of your very presence. Stupid asshole.

The desk clerks eyes flicked to me briefly before she replied. "Of course. It was requested by you, after all."

I was not going to embarrass myself by asking what the fuck they were talking about. Instead, I feigned cold indifference, forcing my death glare down to a loose strand of my sweater. I. Hated. Him. So. Much. I ripped out the loose fabric, the thread quickly becoming longer as it ate away at the bottom of my sweater. Which made me ten times more enraged.

"Very good-" Eric started.