It wasn't long after sunset hit when there was a knock on the door. Eric groggily pulled himself to the door, making sure Aurea didn't wake until it was time. He opened the door to see Talbot standing on the other side, an all-knowing smirk on his face.
"I hope our girl wasn't too much for you." he smirked.
"Never." soothed Eric.
"Good." replied Talbot, handing Eric a tray of blood and spare clothes. "Once she wakes, Russell is in need of the both you in his study."
Eric nodded, closing the door on a smirking Talbot. He threw the clothes onto the side chair and made his way to the bed, setting the blood on the side table before gently waking Aurea. As usual, groans of refusal met his ears as he gently swiped away her hair, letting him see her eyes glaring up at him.
"It's too early." she whined.
"I know, lover, but we are needed." replied Eric, setting a soft kiss to her shoulder as his fingers ran the length of her back.
"We won't be going anywhere if you keep doing that." she said, lifting herself up onto her butt, pulling the sheet with her. "Is that food?"
"Never ceases to amaze me." smirked Eric, handing over a glass of blood.
She greedily took the glass and took a hearty gulp. She was exhausted and food deprived from last night. They had taken the term 'all-nighter' to a whole new level. She finished off the glass and looked at Eric more closely, seeing where he had tried to wipe the blood away from his ears.
"You didn't sleep?" she asked, noticing his hand reach up to his ears on instinct.
"I had things I needed to do, to figure out." he said.
"Did you?" she asked, wishing and hoping he would divulge his insight.
"Possibly."
He left it at that as he finished his blood and made his way to the bathroom. Aurea furrowed her brow at his sudden disconnect. She figured after everything they did the night before it would have changed their dynamic, bring it back to where it used to be.
She set her glass down and stood from the bed, taking the sheet with her. The bathroom was filled with steam as Eric stepped into the shower. She leaned against the door frame, watching him silently. He was going through the motions, but she could see he was thinking. His mind was on overload. Last night was perfect, was what they needed. Gave them a chance to disconnect from everything happening and focus on themselves. But it was a new day, and if Russell was expecting them soon then business was to be had today.
She raised herself from the door frame and dropped the bed sheet, walking over to the shower and stepping in. She caught Eric's eye as she went about her routine, silently acknowledging to him that she was with him, that today would be worth something.
She finished washing the soap off her body before feeling Eric's arms wrap themselves from behind her. He rested his chin on her shoulder before pressing a soft kiss of understanding to her chin. They exited the shower and got dressed in silence.
Aurea grabbed the clothes Talbot had left for her, which differed greatly from the regal dresses and Jimmy Choo heels they had her wear. She dressed herself into a pair of skinny jeans and a white off the shoulder sweater. Her shoes were simple, no heel flats that strapped around the ankle. She had never felt more comfortable.
She dried her hair and styled it up into a bun, feeling that it may get in her way, whatever was planned for the night. She made sure her wedding ring was in place before putting in some earrings Talbot left for her. Her eyes caught Eric removing himself from the bathroom. A purple and white striped shirt paired with his black jeans. The shirt was a bit much but he could wear a potato sack and still be sexy.
"Ready?" she asked, placing her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
"Listen to me." he said, stepping into her space and placing his hands onto her face. "I don't know what will happen tonight, but I need you to promise me that if the opportunity presents itself…take him out…and run."
"What about y- "
"Don't worry about me." he growled. "Understand?"
Aurea felt a surge of panic run through her and noticed Eric felt it too. He smiled gently before bringing his lips to hers. It wasn't necessarily a goodbye kiss, but it held meaning that it may be their last…for a while. She held back tears as he pulled away, his thumb rubbing soft circles along her cheek.
"Come." said Eric.
He glided them out the door and towards the stairs. His hand resting gently against her back as he led her down the stairs and towards the study. Before they could open the door, they could hear Talbot screaming. Aurea stopped them short and did a quick survey of the area around them. She stood on her toes and grabbed a lasting kiss from Eric. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him, reveling in the feel of her body against his.
'I love you.' she mouthed, fearing her words would be caught on the air.
Eric kissed her one last time before she pulled away. She readjusted her sweater and wiped a stray curl from her face before turning and entering the study, head held high. Eric allowed himself a quick smirk before following her into the study.
"Good evening, everyone." she said, interrupting Talbot's latest drama scream.
"Ahh, my dear." gushed Russell, gathering her hands and kissing the knuckles. "I trust you and Mr. Northman were able to acquaint yourselves last night?"
"I've never been more taken care of." replied Eric, gliding into the study.
"Delicious." smiled Russell, giving Aurea a pat on her hip as she went to stand by the fireplace. "Now, before you two arrived I was talking to my dear Talbot here about our plans for the night."
"Yes, yes, go on and leave! Like you've been doing for centuries!" yelled Talbot, seeming to pick back up where they were before Aurea and Eric showed up.
"Oh dear, have we interrupted another lover's quarrel?" said Aurea, earning a glare from Russell.
"That's all he ever does!" yelled Talbot, looking over to her. "Chasing after this or that while I sit here alone!"
"Yes, yes, in a giant mansion with all the blood you could ever drink and all the vampire boys you could possibly want." yelled Russell. "Poor Talbot, your diamond slippers chafing?"
Aurea and Eric caught each other's eye, both of them raising a brow at the most adorable couples fight Aurea had ever seen. She smirked slightly before turning her head back to the ground.
"First the Queen and now a telepath, all you care about is your precious collection!" yelled Talbot, looking over to Aurea. "Never mind the boner you got when you found her again! She's been more important to you than I ever was!"
Aurea felt all eyes turn on her before Talbot rushed over to the bookcases behind the desk as Russell rolled his eyes. Talbot threw the doors open and began throwing things, trying in vain to make a point. Aurea was unsure why they were still here for a lover's tiff. Judging by Talbot's fury, Russell had big plans tonight. As she looked from Eric back to Talbot, she felt her spine straighten, as Eric's did the same. In Talbot's hand was Eric's fathers crown, ready to be thrown and destroyed all to make a point during this temper tantrum.
Aurea was suddenly next to Talbot, her hand grabbing his and gently removing the crown from his hand. Talbot looked at her before suddenly deflating after seeing the pity in her eyes.
"Come now, Talbot. If Russell wanted a toddler as his mate then he would have chosen one." she said, rubbing his arm before looking back at Russell. "I'm going out on a limb and guessing Talbot is upset because you have plan's this evening, is that right?"
"As always." pouted Talbot.
"My dear, I am in need of you and Mr. Northman to accompany me this evening. As usual, Talbot is under the assumption I do not love him or give him enough attention since I…will be out."
"Your majesty, I may have a solution." interrupted Eric, causing Aurea and Russell to look over to him as he stepped closer to Talbot. "I know I am a poor substitute, but I would be honored to keep you company."
"Hm. I don't know." said Talbot, looking over to Russell to gauge his reaction.
"Now that sounds like fun." goaded Russell. "I am positively jealous."
Talbot being none the wiser and thinking he got the jump on Russell in the jealousy department, agreed to it. Aurea smiled at Talbot as he looked at her, nodding her head in affirmation.
"If Aurea's excitement was anything to go by from last night, I think we'll have a splendid time." replied Talbot, looking from her back to Russell.
"I think the whole house would." smirked Russell.
If Aurea could have burnt up and melted into the ground in that moment she would have. Three sets of eyes looked at her as she felt the horror of embarrassment creep up her back. She smiled before huffing out a laugh as she turned back to the bookcase.
Awkward.
The room stayed silent as she felt Eric's eye burning into her skin as she gently placed the crown back onto its brace, making sure no more harm came to it. She closed the doors back before turning to face the rest of the room.
"Come my dear. We have much to do and I'll explain on the way there." said Russell, turning and leaving the study.
Aurea caught Eric's gaze when they were left with a short moment as Talbot followed Russell out of the room. She grabbed his hand, feeling his skin once more before stepping around the desk and following suit.
"Remember what I said." he whispered, following closely behind her.
She looked back at him once more before offering him a slight nod. She sent a soft smile to him before following Russell out of the house. Since their night together, they were able to reconnect their bond. He could feel her again, and it was a most beautiful feeling. For weeks he had felt empty, but he had found a new hip in his hop so to speak.
"She's irresistible, isn't she?"
Eric turned to see Talbot leaning against the wall, a small smile on his face.
"I've seen that look before, Mr. Northman, cannot hide it from me." smirked Talbot, walking closer and filling Eric with slight dread. "I had that same feeling when I met Russell for the first time. Like they were the very air you used to breathe."
"She certainly is something." replied Eric. "I see why Russell wants to keep her."
Talbot smiled and gestured for Eric to follow him into the study. Eric took one last look at the door she had disappeared out of before following Talbot into the study. It would be a long night, but this opportunity was being laid out for him like a red carpet. Revenge would be his sooner rather than later.
The car ride to wherever they were going was silent and uncomfortable. Russell didn't seem to mind the quiet since he seemed to be putting his ducks in a row for this evening.
When Aurea had stepped out of the house, she noticed Russell speaking with some of his werewolves. They looked over at her when she paused at the top of the stairs. She watched them grab Russell's attention once more before turning and darting off into the woods.
Aurea looked back out the window as her eyes caught sight of the road sign. Bon Temps, 50 miles.
"So, I'm to assume we are picking up Ms. Stackhouse this evening?" she asked, things falling into place as she remembered Talbot's words about Sookie.
"You would assume correct, puddin'." replied Russell. "And there is no doubt young Mr. Compton will show up as well. Now I have in mind that this extraction will go quickly but if it does not then I am to assume you will do what you are required to not only protect myself but to also aid in Ms. Stackhouse's capture. Understood?"
She caught Russell's eyes as Eric's words swept back over her. If the opportunity presented itself to take Russell out, she would take it. She didn't know if she had the power to take down someone like Russell, she definitely didn't have his age and there was no telling if her powers would do any good against someone that old. She never thought to take into account if that mattered. Every time she had used it had been on assumed young vampires. At this point she started to panic, but slowly nodded her head in understanding towards Russell.
"Good girl."
The rest of the ride was quiet and quick and before Aurea knew they were pulling up along the road outside Sookie's house. Russell hopped out eagerly but Aurea had to steel her resolve first before she joined him. She had no problem fucking with people she didn't know, but her friends, she didn't know if she could do that. Sure, they weren't the greatest with each other anymore, but Aurea's moral meter was still the same as it always had been. This was going to be a fucked up night.
Aurea followed Russell down the drive as the howls of his wolves echoed in the night. A few of them ran past as they got closer and closer. Aurea shook her hands in nervousness, her hands tingling slightly with the amount of energy flowing through her. Screams could be heard as they came to a stand outside the home. The howls of wolves and screams as Aurea caught a familiar smell.
Bill was here.
Her eyes darted around the dark home, trying to catch a glimpse, but it was nothing but noise. Russell stood calmly next to her, his hands folded in front, waiting patiently. And patience eventually won out. Bill's child, Jessica, came running out chasing one of Russell's retarded werewolves.
"Oh no." she whispered, watching Russell grab her before she realized what she had done.
"Uh oh…" whispered Russell. "Should have listened, little girl."
Jessica's eyes locked onto Aurea's, fear coursing through both of their veins. It was within these next moments decisions had to be made. Aurea quickly ran through all the scenarios and their potential outcomes and it was made very clear to her how she would handle the situation. She could do it.
Her head snapped to the side when Bill ran out of the porch. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Russell have Jessica by the neck. Bill then caught sight of Aurea and felt himself snarl, Aurea following suit.
"Let her go!" ordered Bill.
"Well, you see, Bill, since no one was hospitable enough to invite me in, I had to wait until you came out." he said, struggling with Jessica as she tried to get out of his grasp. "I'm to assume this is yours."
"Let her go!" demanded Bill for a second time.
"Hmm, I don't know." said Russell, turning to Aurea. "What do you think, my dear? Should I let her go?"
Aurea stood frozen, Bill's fire gaze burning into her as Russell stood waiting for a response. She wiggled her fingers before Russell turned away from her, tired of waiting.
"Guess that's a no." he said, looking back at Bill. "I'll tell you what, I'll trade you the red one, for the blonde one."
"How about you and I settle this among men." said Bill, stepping towards Russell.
"Uh, uh." said Russell.
Aurea held her hand out to stop the advancement of Bill. Bill's legs stood frozen to the porch as his eyes glared daggers over to her. She tried to keep her face passive but her mind was running a mile a minute, making sure her timing would be perfect.
"You see Bill, when it comes to killing, I've always been an equal opportunist!" yelled Russell, his fangs descending to Jessica's neck.
Bill screamed and tried to reach Jessica but he was still frozen. His attempts stopped though when he saw Russell's fangs hovering just above Jessica's neck. His gaze flickered over to Aurea, her left hand outstretched, her gaze focused on Russell and Russell alone. Russell's eyes flicked up to meet hers, betrayal and murder breeding fire in his eyes.
"How dare you!" he seethed, trying everything in his power to move his body.
Aurea began to feel her control slip. She assumed she wouldn't be able to hold him for long, but it was long enough for her to release Bill. Once Bill felt the weight remove from him, he looked to Aurea to see her nod in agreement. They both made their way to Russell. Aurea kept her lock on Russell as much as she could as Bill removed Jessica from his grasp.
"Jessica, run!" ordered Bill.
"Bill I can't hold him for much longer!" screamed Aurea, Russell's anger boring into her.
Bill looked away from where Jessica ran off before grabbing Russell and tackling him to the ground. Aurea held as much as she should but in the end Russell had too much power for her to control. She lost her grip and fell to her knees, blood making its way out of her nose.
"Kill her!"
Aurea looked up just in time to see one of Russell's werewolves jump her. She landed on her back as the wolf bit down on her arm she used to defend herself. She felt claws take apart skin on her neck and sides as she wrestled the vampire infused wolf. She was able to bring her knee up in between as she gathered as much energy as she could. She twisted the arm that was locked in the wolf's mouth, feeling the skin tearing more and more. Her palm rested against the fur of the wolf as she used what energy she had left to push him off.
The wolf cried in pain as it flew through the air and landed hard on the ground across from her. She gathered herself to her knees as the wolf pushed up on all fours and went to attack her again. Her hands shot out, fire itself catching the wolf as it leapt at her. She rolled to her side as the burning ball of wolf cried out in pain before running off into the woods.
Aurea clumsily got to her feet as Russell stood over Bill. Her body was in so much pain, but she used whatever she had left to freeze Russell where he was.
"Bill!" she screamed, catching his attention as he tried to remove himself from Russell's hold.
Within seconds, time seemed to shift right in front of their eyes. Russell seemed to freeze even more, if that were possible, as he screamed Talbot's name to the sky. Aurea paused, figuring whatever Eric was up to had taken place. Her hold on Russell faltered and before she knew it her neck was locked in Russell's embrace.
"You…will die." he sneered.
And with that he was gone. Aurea was dropped the ground, her body screaming in agony as her arm felt like it was being held on by a thread. She crawled up on her knees as Bill pulled himself up from the ground. They both looked at each other, a bit confused as to how everything ended.
The wolves were no longer present, all seeming to have followed Russell into the woods, saving themselves. Aurea looked towards the house to see a wolf jump off the roof and off in to the woods as well. Arms linked themselves under own, bringing her to her feet.
"Are you alright?" asked Bill.
"I'm…I'm not sure." she laughed, meeting his eyes. "You?"
"Me either." he smiled. "Thank you. You put yourself in grave danger turning on Russell like that."
"Just needed the right time." she winced, her body aching everywhere. "You better go check on her."
Bill looked towards the house, darkness and silence enveloping everywhere. He could sense Sookie's distress but knew she wasn't in any real danger. He nodded before turning back to Aurea, enveloping her into a hug.
"Will you remain here?" he asked.
"I've got somewhere to be." she smiled. "Besides, I may not be a fortune teller, but I can see where the rest of your night is going. And I'm sorry to say I'm not that kinky."
They both laughed before Bill nodded his head, stepping away and back up the porch. He gave her one final wave before she disappeared into the woods. One location her only destination.
