The Warrior Within

by MinxieJinxie

Full Summary inside: Sookie isn't the first thing that Eric Northman notices the first time she walks into Fangtasia with Bill. Her companion is what catches his eye but she isn't all that she seems. What if there was someone who stole Eric's heart and his curiosity into who and what she is strikes up an unlikely romance? OC/Eric REWRITE in process, new readers skip to Chapter 32!

32. Season 1 rewrite

Okay, so this isn't a new chapter... Going through this story recently made me realise how much it needed a rewrite so that's what I decided to do. This chapter is chapters 1-10 rewritten. I would recommend everyone give this a read to see the changes, especially to Alexandra's backstory. I've also changed this story to an M rating: this means Eric lemons throughout!

Please enjoy the rewrite and I hope it gets you all excited for this story again!

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Maybe moving to Bon Temps wasn't the best idea I had. Initially, I thought that by moving to a small town with a smaller population, I could keep under the radar by staying out of trouble. If there were fewer people in the town, there was less of an opportunity for danger to find me, right?

What I didn't realise at the time was how much gossip could be within one town; maybe it was because I had never lived in a town where the only entertainment was gossiping about one another. Whatever it was, the arrival of a lawyer from the big city with a sharp tongue and a 'do whatever I want and get away with it' attitude caused quite a stir in the small town. I think the reason behind it was that there was no comparison between the city and Bon Temps and therefore, no one could understand why I made the move. I didn't dare tell anyone the real reason; 21st century or not, there are some things that mere mortals cannot handle.

I also don't think I did myself any favours with my choice of roommate. But the bottom line was I needed somewhere to stay and she welcomed me with open arms. Other people's opinions of her were irrelevant to me: I've already had my fair share of crazy and I doubt Sookie Stackhouse coming into my life was going to bring anything I hadn't seen before.

If I had known then what I know now, maybe I would have thought twice about getting into my car and driving to Bon Temps. I would have just headed straight to Fangtasia.

"I need a favour."

I looked up and saw Sookie Stackhouse walk into the small kitchen of her grandmother's house and sit opposite me. Her face was all flushed and it looked like she wasn't having a good day so far. She was dressed in her work uniform, a white Merlotte's top with a small pair of black shorts. Her hair was in a ponytail but more of a messy one and I don't think it was her intended look. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Sookie was not her usual bubbly self. She let out a huge sigh and grabbed the cold beer from my hand and swung it back. I arched an eyebrow at her and watched as she tossed it behind her into the recycling bin.

"Well, since you look disoriented and just finished the one beer that was going to help me get through this paperwork, I'm inclined to ask what's up?" My voice reached a slightly higher pitch than usual, which Sookie correctly assumed was my way of telling her to spill her guts.

"My car just died on me," I leaned back in my chair and she continued, "I don't know what happened, it was working fine yesterday. I went to start the engine and it just wouldn't work. I don't know what's wrong with me and I need to be at work in 20 minutes. Can you drop me, Alexi? Usually, I would walk but I don't want to be late. And I want to see Bill tonight."

And then the penny dropped: that was the real reason she wanted me to drop her off to work. Sookie didn't really care about being late, she usually was. She wanted me there as a getaway driver in case she needed a quick escape from Bill. Or as a wingman in case she ran out of things to talk about with him. I was more leaning towards the latter of the reason. Bill Compton was Bon Temps resident vampire who had taken a shine to Sookie but I think she would still feel the same about him if he hadn't. Not that I blame him, Sookie was the definition of gorgeous. Her glowing tan and blonde hair tended to go hand in hand with a porn production. Her legs seemed like they went on forever and her work shorts left little to the imagination when it came to her arse. But, being the telepath that she is, Sookie chose to close herself off from men and as a result, had little to none experience when it comes to them. It also didn't help that Bill was a vampire who are known for their sexual appetites; suddenly the red in Sookie's cheeks made sense.

"It's fine, I don't mind taking you. I can sit at one of the back booths and get this work done with another beer I suppose. And maybe a tequila on the rocks," Sookie's eyebrow then arched and I merely shrugged. "It's not everyday bourbon. I'm a better lawyer on tequila. And I suppose it won't hurt being only a few feet away from you and Bill." Sookie's sudden smile made her face light as she leaned over the table to hug me whilst repeatedly thanking me.

The rumble in my stomach pulled me away from my work. I looked down at my watch and saw that it was past 9 already. Maybe I should get something to eat before I continued looking over the merger contracts in front of me. I can suddenly see the words themselves merging on the page. I grabbed Sookie's attention and ordered a club sandwich with extra crispy bacon and cheesy fries with a side of ranch dressing.

"I seriously don't know where you put it all. Everything you order is deep-fried and yet, I don't think there's even an ounce of fat on you. If you knew the thoughts that the men in this place have over your body, you may actually consider wearing something that fully covers you. Don't get me wrong, you look hot but you're also the reason why these men are picturing you at night whilst they are with their wives."

I couldn't help but laugh at Sookie explaining what her valued customers thought of me. It also embarrassed her and for that, I was sorry. When she first told her that she could hear other people's thoughts, I pulled back but instantly relaxed when she told me she couldn't hear mine. That was a relief in itself because I don't think I could explain half of the things that went on in my head. Sookie had explained that she couldn't be happier that she couldn't hear me because for once, she felt normal and didn't have to block out what other people thought of her. I then told her that if she needed an escape, she could zone in on what they thought of me. Although I couldn't tell her, I have had years to build up my iron wall and there was nothing that these people could say to penetrate it.

Sookie took to my idea and seemed to get a kick out of telling me what the male residents of Bon Temps thought of me. She always praised me on my ability to be able to hold a straight face but what she didn't know was that I had first-hand experience with most of the acts these men thought about.

"Well, I wasn't planning on coming out this evening so I had little time to change and figured I'd take some attention away from you. Speaking of attention, I think your squeeze of the week just walked through the door." I indicated towards the main doors of Merlotte's where Bill Compton just walked in. I saw Sookie's smile widen and take off towards Bill like a bat out of hell. Not before she handed my order to Lafayette, always the professional. I did have a feeling that I would have to pick up my own order though.

Once Sookie sat down opposite him, I notice people in the bar stopped what they were doing and watch her. It didn't faze Sookie though and that made me smile. Vampire or not, Bill's the first man to get that reaction from Sookie and she deserved it. All women did but especially this 25 year old.

A couple of hours later, once I had finished my food and proof-reading the final contract, Sookie slid into the booth and leaned her head on my shoulder. "He is such a gentleman," I giggled at Sookie's southern drawl and wrapped my arm around her.

"Well, I'm glad. You ready to go?" "Oh yeah, about that…" Sookie looked up at me through her eyelashes and smiled. I knew that smile all too well: she wanted something. I beckoned her to continue and she did.

"I spent the last 2 hours talking to Bill as you saw and I really like him. But I think I need to know more about his kind. And not just the generic stuff I read in the news; I need to know first hand what vampires are like. He seemed to agree and offered to take me to Fangtasia, the vampire club in Shreveport. I just don't want to go alone with him in case I don't like what I see. You've got more life skills than me so can you please come with us? It would make me feel better about being there."

Saying no to Sookie was something I rarely did because of how much she's done for me, which was why I found myself driving myself, Sookie and Bill to Fangtasia. Sookie had managed to convince Tara to swap tops with her so she could save time and not go home. She also indicated that the all-black look would be better for a vampire club. I pulled into the small car park and saw a brick building with no windows hosting a red fluorescing light that read 'Fangtasia'. I rolled my eyes and got out of the car and followed Sookie and Bill to the plush leather door. There wasn't a queue to get in so I assumed that business was slower on a Wednesday night.

"Identification please?" It was obvious that the blonde vampire manning the door was talking to Sookie and me since I knew that vampires could tell themselves apart from humans. I could also spot a vampire a mile away but kept that to myself. Sookie showed hers first and the woman took an interest in her name. I saw Sookie shrink a little but then straightened up once Bill put his arm around her. Claiming her as his already huh? I suppose it was a smart move in a vampire club. Once they had walked in, I fished out my license and flashed it to the blonde vampire. The woman raised her eyebrows and said "New York huh? You don't sound like you're from New York." I stopped dead in my tracks and looked up at her. Up because she was standing on a step. My heels were just as high as hers. "I travel a lot," then I walked in without looking back. Sookie flagged me down and I joined her at the bar.

I smiled as Sookie passed me what looked like tequila on the rocks and tuned in to what Bill was telling Sookie. "He's the sheriff of area 5. I guess you can say that vampires have their own hierarchy. It helps keep us in order so we don't do anything stupid to affect mainstreaming."

I looked over and instantly knew whom Bill was referring to. He was sitting in what looked like it was supposed to be a throne in the middle of the stage. I've actually been in the presence of royalty and their thrones are a lot grander. He was facing the club and directly in front of him was a pole, which was currently occupied by a woman making her way down it. She couldn't have been doing a good job because his attention wasn't on her. He seemed to be looking through her and at Bill and Sookie. Whilst his attention was on them, I took my opportunity to really look at him. His hair was short and blonde but not short enough that I couldn't run my fingers through it. I wouldn't even have minded if it was shoulder length; something inside of me told me that it would suit him. His blue eyes looked like Poseidon had picked them himself because I knew people, myself included, were drowning in them. His physique was hard to ignore with his arms on clear show and broad shoulders. From first glance, he was sex in male form. That was the only accurate and simple way to describe him.

"He's going to summon us," Sookie and I both looked at Bill. Just then, the Adonis, a well-earned name, looked at both Bill and Sookie and summoned them over. I gave Sookie an encouraging smile as she made her way over to the stage and sat in one of the seats next to him. I rolled my eyes in a playful way and took a sip of my drink. This was a good tequila.

"He meant you, sweetheart," I looked over and saw the female vampire from earlier sit next to me. I gave her a questioning look and she merely smiled, "Eric, he was summoning you. Not Compton and his little pet." My lip curled as the reference to Sookie being somebody's pet. She smiled and stood up, "oh and take off your jacket. A body like that shouldn't be hidden." Her eyes made their up down and then up my body as she walked away. I shrugged out of my leather jacket and walked over to the stage. Sookie was looking at me with the same encouraging smile I gave her as walked onto the stage and stood in front of Eric.

"And who might this be? Surely she isn't yours too Bill?" He looked at me and gave me an approving smile before turning his attention to Bill. Maybe Sookie was right when she said I get a reaction out of men in this top regardless if I intended to wear it out or not. I suppose the combination of tight jeans, a black crop top, leather boots, and long hair worked.

"No, she isn't. She lives with Sookie. Eric Northman this is Alexandra." Eric looked back and me and beckoned me to sit. I did and found that I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

"The girls I call up here and either scared or throwing themselves at me. You intrigue me, as you are doing neither. Although I think I know what I would prefer you do. How do you feel about vampires?" As I opened my mouth to respond, Sookie beat me to the punch. "Oh, Alexi moved her from New York. She has a big city mindset. She actually worked with a few vampires, didn't you Alexi?"

Eric looked back at me and saw my tight smile. Sookie sure did know how to interrupt things. He waved his hand towards them, which Bill understood as him wanting them to leave. I watched them get up and move back towards the bar then turned back to Eric. He seemed to be closer to me than before but at this point, I wasn't complaining. I hadn't met anyone like Eric before and I welcomed the close proximity. "Is that true?"

"My boss thought it would benefit us by hiring vampires who may have been lawyers in their human life. That way, we could bill clients in double the amount of time cause there was someone working on the case during the day and at night. Vampire's don't frighten me, Mr Northman, there are far more dangerous things out there."

Eric leaned over and moved the hair that had fallen around my face to behind my ear. He also got a good view of my neck but he wasn't going to find any fang bites. His satisfied smirk sent a shiver down my spine. It had been a long time since anyone had been able to do that. "Maybe they should. Perhaps you haven't been around the right vampires. What if I told you that I was one of those vampires?"

"I would say that being afraid of you is the furthest thing from my mind right now." Flirting. I was flirting with him. I was actually suggesting that I wanted to fuck him on the stage but I don't think there is a word for that. I've always known the effect I had on men and how to flirt but I always knew that if you flirted with the wrong person, they were a fucker to get rid of. I had a feeling it was going to be different with Eric though. He leaned in even closer to me but before he would say anything, Sookie's voice pulled our attention from one another.

"We need to get out of here. There's an undercover police officer here and you've got a vampire feeding off a human in the toilets." Eric pulled away from me and vamped towards the toilets. The man behind the bar ordered everyone out in a booming voice and no one argued with him. Sookie grabbed my arm and pulled me out with her. As soon as we got outside, however, she released me and then was gone. Great, Bill used his vampire speed for her and I was left in the empty car park. I rolled my eyes and headed towards my car. I suddenly felt a pair of hostile arms wrap around me.

"Scream for me baby." I felt the vampire's fang graze my neck. I rolled my eyes as I forced my way out of his grip before facing him and ripping his head off of his body. He turned to a pile of sticky blood at my feet. I bent down and picked a bit off of my boot before climbing into my car.

"Why are vampires so messy?"

Chapter 2

The sun was definitely a bonus about moving to Bon Temps. I was born in a summer month and the sun was in my blood; it was where I was supposed to be. I managed to get out of the office as soon as possible so I could spend the rest of the day lounging out in the sun, turning my natural tan into a bronzed glow. It wasn't the Aegean sun but it would do. I stretched and purred like a kitten on the sun lounger in Sookie's back garden. I was hoping that my tiny red bikini left minimal tan lines. I had been out there for what seemed like hours before someone stood directly over me.

"Do you mind? I'm enjoying the last couple of hours I have left of the sun," I couldn't see who it was but I could tell they were topless and it wasn't a bad view.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted a front seat view of watching you in that bikini." I pulled off my sunglasses and came face to face with Sookie's brother Jason. I smiled at him as I got up and gave him a hug. He squeezed me a little before letting me go. "You should just wear that every day. Forget the office clothes, although they do look nice too. Maybe if you wore this underneath…" Just as his wondering hand made their way to the string at the side of my bottoms, Sookie's voice pulled his attention away from me.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you. Remember the last time someone grabbed Alexi without asking her permission?" Sookie was referring to one of the regulars she served at Merlotte's. He had grabbed my backside and my response was twisting his arm behind his back. I let go before I did any permanent damage; well, physical anyway.

Jason turned and faced with sister with his ever-present smile. The charm-any-girl-out-of-her-knickers-smile. Sookie couldn't see how hot her brother was but I knew she could hear the response he got from women. That's definitely the reason why I've always turned down his advances. Not because of him, I know I would have a good time with Jason, but because of Sookie. She already had one best friend in love with him; she didn't need another one screwing him.

"I wasn't gonna do anything without Alexi's permission, I'm not that stupid. I was just showing her my appreciation for her moving in with my little sister and wearing such things that make a man's pride twitch." I could see Sookie blush slightly at her brother's choice of words but it did make me take a peek at Jason's crotch and I was sure I did see something twitch.

"I'm a lover, not a fighter. I wouldn't hurt anyone that didn't deserve it. That redneck did and now I'm sure he'll think twice about touching a woman without their permission. So really, the women of Bon Temps should be sending me thank you baskets. Not cowing away from me because they think I'm going turn psycho on the town and kill anyone that looks at me funny." I then had an image of the dead vampire at my feet last night. Maybe I do have a tendency to turn psycho, but only when the other person, or vampire, deserved it.

It hadn't taken me long to drive home and once I arrived, Sookie was waiting on the front porch for me. She ran up to me a squeezed me whilst apologising that she let go of me. I reassured her that I was fine and wouldn't have enjoyed being vamped out of there. She pulled away and something on my top caught her eye, "is that blood on you?" I looked down and wiped away some of the vampire remains. "Oh, someone probably spilled a bit of TruBlood on the bar and it got on me while I was sitting there. I'm sure it'll come right off."

She had seemed satisfied with what I had told her because she went up to bed a few moments later. Lying to her wasn't something I wanted to do but my life was too complicated for her to know the truth. She may be a telepath that was kind of seeing a vampire but I think that adding fuel to that fire wouldn't end well.

"Alexi, did you hear me?" I pulled my thoughts away from the night before and looked up at Sookie. "Sorry, what did you say?" "I said that I came out here to let you know that your phone was ringing. I think it was Portia Bellefleur. I thought you said you were done with work for the week now?"

I rolled my eyes at the thought of my boss. Initially, she had told me that she was looking for more of a partner as opposed to an employee: someone she could share the workload with. She was the best lawyer in town and she needed some help and I was happy to do so. I wasn't planning on working in another firm but it did keep me busy which I was grateful for. What I didn't plan on was being better than Portia and suddenly having more people request me for cases which lead to her taking up the mantle of my 'boss' and dictating to me what work I should be doing. I walked inside the house and grabbed my phone from the worktop and dialed the firm's number. Portia answered after the second ring.

"Portia Bellefleur's office, Miss Bellefleur speaking, how may I help?" I silently laughed when I heard her. She didn't have her own extension nor did she have a secretary but liked to answer the phone as she did. I've had assistance's before so if she really wanted one, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

"Hi Portia, its Alexandra. Sorry I missed your call; I was in the garden sunbathing. What's up?" I could hear her fumbling with some papers; I assumed that she wasn't expecting me to call back. She had probably assumed that because I told her I was working from home tomorrow that I wouldn't phone back in case it meant more work. "Oh, well I know you said you were out of the office now until Monday but I got a call from a new client a few moments ago. They're having some issues with their books and require some assistance. They asked for you but I can handle it if you want. Take some of the workload off of your shoulders?"

I could hear her bitter tone even though she tried to hide it. She must have hated the fact that the new client asked for me and not her. She was probably gagging for the gloating rights. "I wouldn't want you to trouble yourself Portia. I know a lot of people come to you with their cases so I'll be more than happy to take on the case." "Well if you insist. A young woman called and asked if you could come down to their business tonight to look through some paperwork. It's a club down in Shreveport called Fangtasia. Should I call back and let them know you'll be down there later on tonight?"

Eric Northman. The 6ft4 specimen I hadn't been able to get out of my head. My thoughts about him have taken the same turn and every time, I found myself squeezing my legs together to somewhat help myself deal with my growing arousal. I had also been thinking of excuses all day to go back to Fangtasia and potentially show Eric my arousal but I couldn't think of one that masked the fact that he had made an impression on me. He had, but he didn't need to know that.

"The vampire club?" "Yes but if that's a problem I really don't mind taking the case instead. I'll just explain to the club owner that you aren't feeling well. I won't mention that you aren't sure about vampires." I could hear the excitement in her voice. It seems as if she's also been looking for an excuse to go down there, but probably not for the same reason as me. I remember her overhearing two women talk about their sexual experiences with vampires and it seemed to pique her interest. Portia Bellefleur thought that she was better than all the men in Bon Temps.

"Actually I don't have an issue with vampires. In fact, I worked with several back in New York, which is probably why they asked for me. I've also been there before with Sookie so I know my way around. Thanks for offering though." A small victory smile was planted across my face as she told m that they were expecting me around 11 pm. I hung up the phone afterward then headed back outside to Sookie and Jason. The sun had already started to set which meant that my sunbathing time was over.

"What did she want?" Sookie offered me a glass of her sweet tea, which I was happy to accept. It really was the best thing I had ever tasted. She said it was her Grandmother's recipe and making the things she loved helped her stay close to her. She passed away a year before I had moved here and apparently it hit the town pretty hard. She was a big part of their community as well as Sookie and Jason's lives.

"Just to let me know that a new client has requested my help. That new client is the owner of Fangtasia." Sookie's mouth dropped but was then recovered by a big smile. Jason didn't look too pleased and made it clear to me. "The fanger club? The one the fangbanger's go to? Why would you want to do business with them? They're vampires."

"I know they are, that's why it's called a vampire club Jason. It's an easy case. All I have to do is look over their financial books. And the fact that Portia cannot stand me having my own client and not one she dumped on me is the icing on the cake." He didn't look convinced but seemed to drop the subject when Sookie noted that dinner was ready. I mouthed a 'thank you' to her before following her and Jason into the kitchen.

I was in the middle of doing up my blouse when Sookie walked into my room.

"I don't know what to wear to see Bill tonight." She slumped down on my bed and threw a pillow over her face. I smiled and pulled her into a sitting position. She eyed me up and down then settled her eyes on the lower part of my body. "Since when do you wear stockings and a suspender belt?" I rolled my eyes and picked up my black skirt.

"Since always. I just haven't worn them since I moved here because it's been too hot but with it being windy tonight I need them. They hide my goosebumps. And I feel 100 times sexier when I wear them," I gave her a flirtatious look as I stepped into my skirt and fastened it up.

"Oh, I see. You're hoping that this business meeting can also be a continuation of the conversation you were having with Eric last night. I knew there was a reason why you were asking for your Louboutin's earlier. Well, you sure do look like the definition of smart and sexy. Now, could you please help me find something to wear for tonight?"

I dragged Sookie to her room and picked out a red summer dress she had thrown in the back of her closet. She pulled a face initially but once I put her hair up for her and made her put the dress on she seemed satisfied. She said that she was going over to Bill's house across the cemetery then take a walk with him. It wasn't what I would count as a date but with Sookie not having any experience when it came to dating and Bill being the Southern gentleman that he is, I hoped it went well for them.

I walked up to the door of Fangtasia and saw the same vampire that was there yesterday. "Ahh Alexandra the lawyer who isn't really from New York, I'm glad you could make it. Mr Northman is expecting you." I pulled my lips into a tight smile as she moved aside to let me into the club. She was persistent; I'll give her that. It seemed much busier than it did the night before which meant that more eyes were on me as I entered the club. I headed over to the bar and looked up to catch Eric's eye. He saw me and was in front of me within a second.

"I'm glad you could make it tonight Alexandra. Ginger said to me that your colleague had said that she didn't think you would take the case. I'm glad you did." Ginger must be the name of the girl who phoned the firm earlier. It was during sunlight hours so she must be a human. I allowed myself to take in Eric's appearance and smiled with what I saw. He was wearing black jeans and a black vest top. I was slightly disappointed that his arms weren't on show again but seeing him in a black leather jacket made up for that. He knew I was checking him out because he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I also like what I see but we have business to attend to. Maybe after." He smiled at me then led the way to a door that read 'employee's only'.

I sat down in the chair facing the desk while Eric sat down behind the desk opposite me. I crossed my legs over and watched him as he took in my appearance like I had down to him a few moments ago. "I must say that this a refreshing change from your outfit yesterday. I must confess, however, that I have thought about what else I would prefer to see you in."

"Maybe one of those things is what I'm wearing underneath." He leaned over the desk so his face was mere inches away. "You intrigue me. I thought that the girl Bill Compton was with yesterday did. She smelt sweet, like honey and everything that was innocent. You, on the other hand, are the opposite. You smell rich and strong as if your blood has taken hundreds of years to mature and every drop needs to be savored; like a vintage red wine. One sip would be enough because of the rich taste of it, or so I'm told."

It was at that moment I realised that Eric Northman had me and I wouldn't be satisfied until I got him. "Shall we get down to business then? I'm sure the pleasure can wait." Eric smiled and leaned back in his chair. He opened a drawer next to him and picked up a file, which he placed in front of me.

"I was going over our finances last night and noticed that we were paying more than double our agreement to our content insurance. Last month we paid $30,000 for the month and this month we paid $60,000. It seemed odd that the insurance would go up by double within a month for no reason." I opened the file and saw last month's and this month's payment.

"You pay $30,000 a month for content insurance?" "The contents of this bar adds up to well over a million dollars. I thought it was quite a good deal." I continued reading over the finances and couldn't see an obvious reason as to why it had doubled. Maybe it needed the fine comb approach.

"Well on first glance it seems that the insurance company has raised the price, although you haven't mentioned a claim so it doesn't look right. If it's okay with you, I'd like to take this file and look over it this weekend. I'm not back in the office till Monday so I have plenty of time to call up the insurance company and get to the bottom of it."

"That's fine with me. We're closed on Monday night so we'll have plenty of time to talk about it. Now, what do you say to showing me what you have got on under your clothes?" My smile grew bigger and my arousal grew wetter. I think he noticed too because he glanced down and smirked; that was it. I tilted my head towards him but, before I could say something, someone walked into the office.

"Sorry to interrupt your little business meeting but you're needed outside Eric. There's only so much I can handle when all the vermin are here to see you. It seems as if they only come here to be in your presence." I turned around and saw the 'persistent blonde vampire' standing in the doorway. She gave me a look over and smiled before turning her attention back to Eric. Maybe she could sense my arousal too.

"Alexandra this is Pam, my progeny of sorts and co-owner of Fangtasia. It was her idea to call you and ask for your help." I looked up at Pam and smiled. Maybe she wasn't just the help.

"Pleasure. I should head off, you have business here to deal with and I have a file to read over. Maybe we can continue our conversation on Monday?" Pam left the office just as I stood up. I reached for the door but Eric appeared and shut the door, his arm blocking the door and caging me in.

"What are you?" I looked up into his eyes and felt a lump form in my throat. Between Pam and Eric, I wasn't going to be able to fly under the radar for much longer.

"I'm a lawyer Mr. Northman." "I don't think you are. You may have everyone else fooled but I know that someone who smells like you do and is capable of killing a vampire with her bare hands is something more." I felt the colour drain from my face but he continued before I could speak, "I found it very amusing and impressive. I know only of vampire's having the strength to do that and it is clear to me that you are not a vampire, so I'll ask you again, what are you?"

I looked back up at Eric and was expecting to see a face of anger; vampires didn't like it when one of their kind had been killed but he looked amused. He didn't look angry and then I realised that I wasn't in any danger being around him and maybe I could be myself. I smiled and moved his arm away from the door. His smile dropped when he felt my strength but the amusement was still in his eyes. He moved to the side and allowed me to pass.

"It seems to me that you're intrigued as to what you think I am. I feel a large attraction towards you Eric and by keeping my secret a bit longer, I have an excuse to see you again which is something that would please me very much. I'll see you on Monday." I leaned up a kissed Eric on the cheek before walking out towards my car.

Chapter 3

"Son of a bitch!" I didn't realise how loud I was until I looked up and saw that everyone's eyes in Merlotte's were on me. I flashed an innocent smile then sunk my head in the file that Eric gave on Thursday night. I couldn't do much over the weekend as I was waiting for the paperwork from the insurance company. I walked into the small firm where I worked with Portia Bellefleur and a fax was waiting for me. However, I couldn't get round to looking at it till now cause Portia had insisted on my help with her case all morning. I told Eric that I would have some form of answers by Monday, which was why I was spending my lunch break buried in paperwork.

"You should hear some of the things that people are thinking right now. They can't believe that a successful woman like yourself has such a foul mouth on her." I looked up at Sookie as she placed my burger in front of me and smiled. I wouldn't normally come to Merlotte's during the day because it was when the older part of the community came to the bar but Sookie was working the lunch shift and I really needed a burger.

"I'll take a pass. Telepathy is your skill. My skill is figuring out why Eric is missing $30,000 which I think I just did." I quickly stood up and threw the folder in my bag. I placed several bills on the table and grabbed my burger. "Look I gotta run, I'll explain everything when I get home later so make sure you're there. I'm going to need your assistance tonight." Before Sookie could respond, I rushed out of Merlotte's and headed straight back to the office. The sooner I finished there, the sooner I could get home.

The anticipation of seeing Eric later was eating away at me. All weekend he was all I could think about: his blonde hair, his tall and muscular frame, and those blue eyes. I wish I could say that all of my thoughts were PG but being the individual I was, my thoughts kept going back to what he was capable of doing with his hands and tongue. There was something about him that made me want more. It made me want him in a way that I hade never known and it wasn't just about the sex. It was about so much more.

"Have you ever had a sex dream about Bill?" Sookie stopped applying her lipstick and turned to face me. I was sitting on her bed waiting for her to get ready. When I got back from work I had explained to her that I needed her to come with me to Fangtasia tonight because I needed her 'super cool minding reading skills'. She eventually caved when I reminded her that I had done her many favours over the past month.

"Well yeah but that's only because I've had some of his blood. Apparently, it's common to have that effect on people. But as vivid as it was, it was nothing like the real thing, I mean the way he…" Sookie suddenly stopped what she was saying and looked at me like a deer in my headlights.

"You had sex with Bill?!" It was more of a statement than a question. She hadn't been seeing him for long and I knew it was her first time. "Why didn't you tell me? I knew you looked different this morning but I couldn't put my finger on it. So how was it? Everything you ever imagined?" She went bright red and turned away from to and carried on putting her lipstick on.

"A woman does not talk about such things." "Sookie, this isn't the 1920's. As your 'more than a roommate' roommate, I should be the first person you tell. Now spill, I want all the details." She eventually caved and I couldn't help but smile at how happy she looked. She said that it wasn't something she intended on doing and that was probably why she enjoyed it so much.

"How many did you have?" She gave me a questioning look before I rolled my eyes. "Orgasms! How many did you have? And did your toes curl?"

"I think three, but they seemed to get longer than the previous one and I don't know, maybe they did. My legs just felt weak afterward and I couldn't move for a while." She stood up and brushed herself down before stepping into her red flats.

"That is a good sign! Consider yourself lucky, most girls don't reach one orgasm till they introduce toys and you hit three on your first time! I'm proud and a tad jealous, it's been way too long since I got off, and Gods do I miss it," "God." I looked over at Sookie who was staring blankly at me. "You said Gods but you meant God right?" I quickly swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and flashed Sookie an award-winning smile. "Of course I did. I think all the sex talk has turned my mind to mush. Maybe I need some more sex dreams about Eric to fix me up." Sookie then dropped her jaw like I had said the most unbelievable thing ever. "You haven't had his blood have you?"

"No! I just haven't been able to stop thinking about him. He makes me want to rip my own clothes off and stand there while he looks at me." Sookie giggled as she came over and sat next to me.

"It isn't a bad thing. Just see what happens. My only advice would be to be careful because he's a thousand years old vampire who probably has a body count higher than we could imagine. But I'm sure you can handle it, you don't strike anyone as a naïve woman and I know you can dish out just as much as he can." I smiled at her then wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a hug. If only she knew that I probably could put a number to Eric's body count.

I was shocked to see that it was Eric who opened the door to Fangtasia later that night. I was expecting to see Pam but it was definitely a good shock. He smiled when he saw me and my heart couldn't help but skip a beat when he leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I was hoping to see that skirt again," I smiled and licked my lips at him.

"Why? You don't think these could come off just as easily?" He seductively looked at me and I could feel my core suddenly spring to life. "I hope you don't mind but I ask Sookie and Bill to accompany me tonight. I need Sookie to help me get to the bottom of your financial loss and since she's with Bill now, they come as a package." Eric looked over my head and smirked when he saw both Sookie and Bill. He walked into the club and I followed close behind him enjoying the view. He sat down next to Pam on one of the tables and asked me to join them. Sookie and Bill sat at the bar and faced the man who worked behind the bar, probably asking him for a drink.

"So what have you found out?" I opened my bag and placed the file Eric had given me on the table. He opened it and I saw his face fall. "As you can see, I managed to get hold of your insurance company who sent me a copy of the payment they received from you this month. They received $30,000, your agreed monthly price and assured me that they had not put the price up nor would they. I also had a look at your other finances and noticed that they had been going up slowly each month too but not enough for you notice if you weren't paying attention. I can get all the information from those companies but it seems to me that someone is embezzling money from your club. They were doing it in small quantities so you wouldn't notice but then they either got greedy or impatience. Either way, they became sloppy and I think they work for you. That's why I asked Sookie to accompany me this evening. She has certain abilities that allow her to read minds. That was how she knew of the raid last Wednesday."

Eric looked over at Sookie who smiled back at him. "Interesting. Can you read anyone's mind or is there a limit?" "I can't read a vampire's mind or Alexi's but that's about it. Every other red-blooded American is fair game." I sunk slightly in my chair when Eric and Pam both turned to me. Sookie grouping me in with a vampire wasn't helping my situation.

"Do you have any human staff who would have access to your financial books or your office?" Eric looked over at Pam and nodded to her. She got up and vamped to the back and returned seconds later with a blonde woman who wasn't wearing much. She had bite marks all over her skin and looked older than she dressed.

"Alexandra this is Ginger, Ginger this is Alexandra, the lawyer Pam asked you to contact for us. Her friend Sookie is going to ask you a few questions and you're going to answer them truthfully, aren't you?" Ginger looked at both Sookie and me before turning back to look at Eric and nodded. Eric smiled and stood up and placed her in the seat he was sitting in. I stood up too and Sookie sat down in mine. I walked over and stood next to Eric and tuned out on to what Sookie was saying. Standing this close to him made me remember the vivid dreams I had been having of him lately.

"You seem distracted Alexandra. Something else on your mind?" Eric looked down at me and I knew he saw right through me. I knew he knew what I was thinking and that made it even more fun.

"Please call me Alexi. I feel much older than I am when you call me Alexandra. And as a matter of fact there is something else on my mind. I was wondering if you preferred pink or red. I wouldn't want to disappoint you with my choice of underwear tonight."

I heard Eric's fangs snap out before I saw them. It was his way of showing me that I had got to him and he wanted me just as much as I wanted him. I saw him look down my blouse and nod his head in approval. "I think I prefer Alexandra. It rolls off the tongue easier." Before I could tell him what he could do with his tongue, Sookie sprang to life.

"She didn't do it, but she knows who did." Eric and I both looked over at her as she looked into Ginger's eyes whilst holding her hand. "It's going to be okay, you can tell me. Nothing is going to happen to you." Sookie then turned her head to Eric and I. "She's scared. She thinks that she'll die if I found out the truth. But it's strange. I tried to access her memory but its blank. I can see everything else but this, like I can't see past the fog."

"She's been glamoured. But only a vampire can glamour humans." Sookie looked over at Pam but before she could ask Ginger another question, Longshadow, Eric's barman, leaped over the bar and within a blink of an eye, was behind Sookie and had grabbed her.

"You worthless human!" Instincts took over at that moment, to hell with my secret. I jumped out of the barstool and leaped across the room towards Longshadow. I yanked Sookie out of his grip and swung my leg out towards him. My foot connected with Longshadow's shoulder and sent him flying across the room. I felt Sookie go rigid in my arms but I shoved her behind me and used my body as a shield to protect her. Longshadow got up and I readied myself for his attack, but it never came. Just as he reached me, he turned into a pile of sticky blood. I looked up and saw Bill standing in front of me holding a makeshift wooden steak. He must have ripped it from Eric's bar. I looked down at myself and saw that I was covered in Longshadow's remains.

"I think we found out who embezzled from me." Eric looked over at me as I wiped what I could off of my face. It proved to be a difficult task since everything was stuck to me. My suede shorts were ruined and my blouse was now a shade of red. I looked down at my shoes and silently thanked myself for wearing leather ones today.

"Well, what caught my attention was how you managed to knock a 400-year-old vampire across the room with one kick." I looked up at Pam and gave her a small smile before turning around and looking at Sookie. As opposed to looking at Bill all lovingly for saving her life, she was looking at me with a confused look on her face. I guess the cat was out of the bag. Before I could say anything however, Eric grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Sookie.

"I think it's best if you clean up before you do anything else." He pulled me into his office where he threw me a towel. "I have to go sort everything out back there. I'll tell Sookie that I'll drop you home once you've cleaned up so she doesn't have to wait." I nodded at Eric and started to wipe Longshadow's remains off of my face. I stepped out of my shoes and peeled my ruined clothes off of my body and placed them in the bin. I wiped my body down as much as I could but gave up once the towel was covered.

I knew that I had a lot of explaining to do but just as my mind was about to wander off, I felt a pair of hands grab me. Within an instant, I was sitting on Eric's desk with him standing in-between my legs looking down at me.

"When I purposed you seeing me in my underwear earlier, this was not what I had in mind." I felt Eric run his hands down my arms. I closed my eyes at his touch. When I opened them again his face was inches away from mine. He wanted answers and I knew I had to give them to him.

"What are you Alexandra?"

"I'm a demi God."

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

I could feel Eric's fangs on my neck as he kissed a spot on my neck; a spot that made my body react in a very sexual way. I threw my head back in pleasure then heard a small growl from Eric. I smiled because I knew that he could smell my arousal just as I could feel it between my legs. The mere anticipation of this moment was enough to finish me off.

I ran my hands down and then up his chest before I decided that I wanted to feel his skin. I ripped his black vest off of him and added it to the pile of ruined clothes. Eric crushed his lips against mine and while we were fighting for dominance of the kiss, he pulled my bra off of my body and pulled me closer to him. The feel of his skin on mine caused my nipples to harden and my arousal to grow. Eric took complete control of the kiss and my breath along with it. I pulled his hair at the nape of his neck and watched as his eyes found mine. I started kissing his neck and while I did, his hands crept down to my hips and in one swift movement, my knickers were now amongst the pile of clothes on the floor.

My hands went to undo his jeans but he grabbed them. I stopped kissing his neck and looked up to look at him. He still looked extremely turned on, which was obvious to me by the ever-growing bulge in his jeans, but he also looked like there was something else on his mind. "A demi God?"

I pulled my hands away from him and let out a loud sigh of frustration. After I told him what I was, I grabbed him by the hair and started to kiss him which was why we were in the position that we were in now: me sitting on his desk completely naked and him standing in front of me in only his jeans, sporting a really large hard-on. I knew he had questions but I wanted to clear the sexual frustration that had been growing inside of me since we had met first.

"Yes, a demi God, as in half-God-half-mortal. Similar to what Achilles was but my mother wasn't a sea nymph. I was born after the Trojan War so I never actually met Achilles in his human form although I would have liked to. I was born to what I thought was a normal family. I didn't know at the time that I was the daughter of Athena." At this point, I was expecting Eric to look at me like I was crazy. In a world where humans know of vampires, the idea of a demi God was still crazy.

"Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War? Wasn't she one of the three virgin Goddesses?" I smiled at Eric. I was impressed; he knew Greek mythology. Maybe this wouldn't seem as crazy to him. Although, it isn't difficult to see why Greek mythology would be appealing to some: it was all about sex and wars, especially between the Gods. They all had a quarrel with a least one of their siblings or parents.

"She still is a virgin." Eric's eyebrows shot up and even I had to admit that even as I was saying, it made no sense what so ever. "Well, physically I mean. To be fair I don't want to think of my mother having sexual thoughts. I was born to a mortal woman; I just wasn't her biological daughter. I don't know the specifics as I wasn't there but from what I have been told, the couple that raised me couldn't have children. One day, my mother heard the woman's prayers and asked Hera to help her impregnate the woman with me. Athena created me in her own image but she didn't want me to live her life, hence the 'demi' part in my title."

At this point, Eric had sat down in the chair facing me. He looked at me with stern eyes, like he was trying to determine if I was being truthful. "So what happened to the couple that you were given to? And if your mother didn't want you to live her life, how are you still alive 3,000 years later?"

"The woman who gave birth to me died in childbirth. Her body wasn't strong enough, so bringing Athena's daughter into the world was the last thing she did. Because of that, she went straight to the Elysian Fields where she lives in paradise to this day. Her husband, my father, knew there was something special about me from the moment he held me and he never let me forget it. From the moment I could walk, he trained me as if I had been his son and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. When he died, my world shattered and I thought I would die with him and I almost did. I wasn't immortal then; I could have died a mortal death. However, the Fates had other plans for me but I don't think even they foresaw what actually happened."

"What happened next Alexandra?" I could hear the sincerity in his voice but I still couldn't tell this story without holding my iron wall up. I may be the daughter of a God but I still could feel things. I took a deep breath and got up. Eric watched me with intensity as I walked over to what looked like a merchandise shelf and picked up a 'Fangtasia' t-shirt. I ripped the packet open and threw the black top over my head. "I would have preferred it if you had stayed naked. I was quite enjoying looking at your body. It is quite exquisite."

I hopped back up on the desk and faced Eric. He was taking it quite well but was there another way to take it? I was literally a walking mythology book. I knew things that historians would die to know. "I think I was just shy of 17 when my father died. After that, I decided to leave Athens and find a new purpose in life. I was traveling to Sparta when He appeared to me. I had heard stories of how beautiful Apollo was but never truly believed them till I saw him. He looked like a normal man except for the glow around him. I bowed to him out of respect but he placed his hand under my chin and lifted my head up. He had told me that he had been watching me and waiting until the right time to approach me. Approach me and ask for my hand in marriage."

"He wanted to marry you? Weren't you technically related to him?" I shrugged my shoulders and pulled a face. "He didn't know at this point, not that it would have stopped him anyway. The Gods don't frown upon incest as normal people do. Zeus married his sister Hera and together they rule Olympus. Think of it in terms of vampires. Most makers have sexual encounters with their children. I'm sure you did with Pam and probably your maker with you."

"How did you know that?" I smiled at Eric and crossed my legs. He still watched the way I moved my body and was still clearly turned on. He obviously had a longer attention span than a human.

"I've been around a long time Eric. I know about vampires, weres and the fair folk. I haven't spent the past 3,000 sitting on a high mountain watching the world go by. I've lived hundreds of lives and seen things mortals couldn't even dream about. In addition to living those lives, I know what I want and I know what I'm good at. I've never wanted someone so much, and the fact that you're a vampire only makes me want you more. You've awoken something in me that I didn't think existed. 3,000 of experience is nothing on what I feel for you right now in this moment."

Before I could continue speaking, Eric was in front of me claiming my lips once again. He asserted his dominance instantly. I felt his tongue force its way into my mouth and I moaned at the feel of it. His hands roughly made their way up my legs while I arched my back and pushed myself closer to him. He pulled me flush against him so I could feel his erection through his jeans hit my core. I moaned through our kiss and smiled when I heard Eric growl again; that was my new favourite sound.

"I knew you couldn't be just a human, all that beauty and strength isn't something I've seen before. You're a force to be reckoned with and anyone who thinks they can handle you are stupid."

"Are you calling yourself stupid Mr Northman?" Eric grinned at me as his fangs appeared. "I don't think I can handle you, I know I can. I knew that from the moment you walked into my club. Now, I'm going to sit back down and allow you to finish the rest of your story before I get carried away again and fuck you right here on this desk so loud that Ginger will be able to hear you with her human ears." I grinned at Eric and watched him as he slowly sat back down. I didn't want him to stop but I suppose that I did owe him to finish my story. He wanted to know exactly what I was and I wasn't going to deprive him of that.

"So a wedding proposal from a God isn't something to be taken lightly. I was so mesmerised by Apollo's beauty that I felt myself walk towards him, almost like I was in a trance. But just as I stood up, a woman appeared beside him. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and she was also glowing, so I knew she had to be another God. She also looked familiar to me but I couldn't place her face. Within a flash, she was standing in front of me, blocking Apollo from me. I could feel her anger radiating off of her and Apollo felt it too. He stepped away from her but she reached for a sword and placed it under his chin.

"It was when I saw the crest on her shield that I realised she was Athena but I didn't know she was my mother. She pushed her sword forward so it pierced Apollo's skin and then I heard her speak, "no daughter of mine will ever be yours Apollo. Her fate has been spoken for. She'll marry and bear a child with a mortal, not a God and will live a human life" and with that, they both disappeared. If I hadn't seen a drop of Apollo's golden blood on the road I wouldn't have believed it myself. I didn't think anything of her proclamation because I assumed she meant it in a generic way because I was born in Athens. What I did take away from it was my fate so I stopped looking a purpose. The Fates had already laid out my life and I dared not defy them. If I was to marry and bear children, then I would. The feeling I felt training with my father would have to be forgotten about."

"So how are you here today? How are you immortal if your mother said that you would live a human life? Did a vampire get to you? Did you even have vampires in Ancient Greece?" I laughed at Eric's assumptions. They didn't sound half bad and at times, I wish things were as simple as that.

"None that I knew of, but that doesn't mean anything. They probably found it easy to stay under the radar back then. As for me, I'm just the outcome of a sick twist of fate. I married like Athena said I would and I was happy, well as happy as I thought I could be. It was many years later when I saw Apollo again. He appeared the night of the Boedromia, a festival in Athens where we thanked the Gods for their tribute to the Athenian army. He looked the same as I remembered him although this time, he had the look of death on his face. It was then that he murdered my husband in front of me and cursed me. He cursed me with immortality so that I may live forever knowing that he was the one who took my life away from me. He also cursed me with eternal youth, so that I could watch those that fell in love with me die like I had done my husband."

I could feel a lump form in my throat. I had mourned my mortal life and now it was only a distant memory. I smiled at Eric then walked towards him and straddled his lap. He held my hips close to him as I dipped my head and started kissing his neck.

"So you were cursed with immortality and eternal youth because you couldn't marry Apollo? But doesn't that go against what the Fates had set out for you?" I pulled away from Eric and threw my head back in frustration; I thought I was done talking about it.

"Apollo is smarter than people give him credit for. He didn't interfere with the Fates; I had married, I had a child and I lived a human life. I just hadn't lived a whole human life and the Fates never said anything about me dying a mortal death. It was as I was cradling my husband that Athena appeared again to me and told me who I was. At first, I didn't believe her because I was as mortal as they came. She then took my hand and before I knew it, I was standing at the edge of the River Styx. I looked around and she was next to me and next to her was my husband, well his soul. I remember her smiling at me as if to say everything would be okay. Then, in another blink of an eye, we were standing in the Elysian Fields and my father was there with who I assumed was my birth mother. Athena explained to me that because they had brought her daughter into the world, they had gained entry to the Elysian Fields and it was where my husband would spend eternity and anyone else who was born of my bloodline. It may not mean much to you, but to me, it's one of the things that helped me move on. After that, I believed everything Athena had said and accepted my heritage.

"Athena then spent what felt like years trying to reverse the curses but she couldn't; one God cannot undo what another has done. I realised then that I had no purpose and I think Athena realised that too so she gave me one: a warrior of the Gods. And that's what I am to this day. Following that, I spent a long time on Olympus training and becoming the ultimate weapon of the Gods. I am their warrior, or as I like to call it, their personal errand girl. They send me out on quests and upon my return, they thank me with a gift."

Eric raised an eyebrow at me and smirked. "What kind of gifts? Because I had a feeling that this body was a gift for me." I laughed at him and rested my head against his. "You can thank Aphrodite for that. Beautiful as she is, she's one ruthless God. Especially when it comes to women who take a shine to Ares."

"What about your strength? Being able to fight is one thing but you have the strength that could match a vampire." "Also a gift, from Zeus. Hera had heard that Heracles was close from returning from the Underworld and didn't want to ever see him again. To keep his wife happy, Zeus sent me to deal with it. I managed to convince Hades to keep Heracles there and use him to help rule and control the Underworld. Hades seemed to agree with me, and so, Heracles is still there. As a reward, Zeus granted me the strength of a God while I was on Earth."

I was done with talking about myself at that point and I think Eric knew it. There was still more to me than meets the eye but that was for another time. Everything from this point on was on a need to know basis; if Eric had to know then he would. The sexual frustration in me was at a tipping point but just as I was about to take my new 'Fangtasia' top off, Pam slammed the office door open.

"Sorry to interrupt but it's half an hour till dawn. If you're going to take her home Eric then I suggest you do it now." Then Pam was gone just as quickly as she came. I released a loud sigh of frustration and climbed off of Eric. I ran my fingers through my hair and pulled at it slightly. I now had to spend another day fantasying about something that could have happened if Eric hadn't been so persistent.

"It won't take me long to get you home but I suggest you put this on. It could get a bit cold." Eric handed me the leather jacket that I had left here last week. During the commotion, I had forgotten to grab it. I stepped into my heels and laughed at myself. I was about to participate in the walk of shame and I hadn't even had my way with Eric.

I followed Eric outside but before I could ask him where his car was, he grabbed me and shot up into the air. My initial reaction was to scream but I don't think I could have done that. I held on to Eric with all my strength and closed my eyes. Then, I felt my feet touch the ground. I opened my eyes and saw that we were standing on Sookie's front porch. I looked up at Eric and he smiled at me.

"So I take it you've never flown before?" "Not like that, no. When I hitch a ride from Hermes I don't feel my stomach leaving my body. I better get in and explain all this to Sookie. She trusted me with her secret and now I need to return the favour. Hopefully, she'll still be awake." I turned to walk away and smiled on the inside when Eric pulled me back to him.

"This doesn't change anything. I know who you are now but I still want you." He placed a light kiss to my lips but before I could kiss him back, he was gone. I looked up to the sky and silent cursed, "Fucking vampires."

I quietly opened the front door and shot upstairs. I crept into Sookie's room and saw her fast asleep in her bed. I sat down next to her and softly shook her awake. She opened her eyes and looked up at me.

"Well need to talk Sook. I have a lot of explaining to do."

Chapter 5

I could feel the intensity in the room grow. I had stopped speaking about 10 minutes ago and Sookie was yet to say anything. I suppose it was easier for Eric to absorb it all since he belonged to a world that was still relatively new to humans. Accepting vampires was one thing, but I was something completely different. After what felt like a century, Sookie finally spoke.

"So you can rip a vampire's head off of its shoulders without breaking a sweat?" I looked at Sookie and was completely amazed that was all she had to say after my monologue. I saw a glint in her eye and started to laugh. She soon joined in and we laughed till tears were in our eyes. It was at that moment that I had wished I had told Sookie sooner. I had grown so close to her and felt like I had to protect her like she was a young sister. I knew she could protect herself and had Bill but I wanted to be there for her.

After our laughing fit, we composed ourselves and I reached for another one of Sookie's homemade peanut butter cookies. They usually didn't last more than 24 hours with me. "So I take it that the vampire you killed the other night wasn't the first time you had killed?"

"No it wasn't, and he wasn't the first vampire either. I wish I could tell you that I've only killed a handful of times but that would be a lie. I get summoned by one of the Gods, they ask me to do their deed and I return with some form of proof. They then reward me and I leave. I try to avoid long visits to Mount Olympus. Time works differently up there and the longer I'm there, the more blood that is shed between my mother and uncle. She still resents him for what he's done to me and those feelings come out when I'm in her presence."

I half expecting Sookie to move away from me after admitting that I had spent the better part of the past 3000 years killing but she stayed where she was. "I guess that's why you're so drawn to Eric. Apparently, he's done his fair share of spilling blood over the years. Well so has Bill so I can't judge."

"You said you had a child. What happened?" Sookie looked at me with a sincere look in her eyes and I smiled at her. "Dimitri. He was full of life and looked just like his father. He was so young when I was cursed that he probably didn't remember me when I was mortal. I tried my best to raise him but it got difficult as he got older and I didn't. I'll never forget the look in his eye when I told him that I would never join his father in the afterlife. Despite that, he grew into an amazing man and became the father I knew his father would have been. He lived a full life, a life that he deserved."

"What happened after he died?" "He joined his father in the Elysian Fields. Athena was true to her word. I couldn't watch all my decedents die after that so I left before my grandchildren could ask the same questions. I don't know what happened to my bloodline after that. I just know that they're all together and they're happy. Hades would make sure of it."

Sookie moved her chair over to me and placed her arm around my shoulder. I smiled and leaned into her. It was the comfort I needed right now. "Can you still have children? Or are you forbidden to do so?"

"I've never been forbidden from having children. I just don't think I can. I think Hera is trying to spare me the pain I once went through. I suppose it makes sense since I haven't had a period in a millennium." Sookie smiled at me and I felt her warmth down to my core. "So do you have any cool weapons hidden under your bed?"

I burst out into another fit of laughter and pulled Sookie into a hug. I think that was her way of telling me that she finally understood and would only ask more questions when she was confused by them. "That's a story for another day. C'mon you, let's get some rest, I have work in a few hours."

A week had passed since my encounter with Eric and I hadn't seen him since. It wasn't from lack of trying, the timing just hadn't been right. There was always something going on. He was all I could think about and not being able to see him was driving me crazy. Every night I went home with the intention of going to see him but Morpheus had other ideas. He would entice me into an early night so he could disguise himself as Eric in my dreams and attempt to please me. It was something but I knew it wasn't nearly as satisfying as actually having Eric in between my legs.

I hadn't seen much of Sookie either, not that I was shocked. I knew she spent most of her nights with Bill since she couldn't see him during the day. Sookie had told me one morning that she had told Bill what I had told her. I didn't mind but then she mentioned that he was a bit of a history nerd and wanted to ask me questions. The thought of being a human encyclopaedia didn't appease me in the slightest.

"Now that is a backside I would like to wake up to." I spun my head around and smiled when I saw Lafayette. He looked beyond amazing as usual: he had a fuchsia coloured headscarf wrapped around his head with matching eye shadow and false eyelashes so long, they could probably start a stiff wind. He really was the definition of gorgeous. A truly unique individual; I hadn't met anyone like in all my years.

"Well, maybe when you decide to bat for my side then you might. I was actually looking for you. Fancy making me one of your-super-secret-super-delicious burgers? I'm starved and relieved to be out of Portia's presence." He nodded and went around to the kitchen while I stayed at the window.

"So what's with the tight skirt? You planning on seeing someone special tonight? Because I have a feeling that he may struggle lifting that up over that fine ass of yours." I smirked at Lafayette's comment and prided myself on my choice of skirts this morning. I was determined to see Eric tonight and if that meant that he would have to rip my skirt off of my body, then so be it. I also had on the lingerie that he had sent to me.

I woke up this morning to find a package on the doorstep. I opened it and found a lacy black bra with red silk running through it and the matching thong. He had also bought me new stockings, which were the cherry on top of a very dirty thought. I took it as his invitation to wanting to see me tonight and eagerly read the note that was in the box. All it said was 'Wear red ~ E'; that was all I needed to know.

"Something like that and I always thought that red was among the colours that suited me." "Oh, it is. You're like a sin that is waiting to happen baby girl. Now come on, tell Lala who the lucky guy is." Lafayette gave me a stern look but before I could think of a lie, Sookie appeared next to me like a saving grace.

"It's past 10 Alexi. I would go now if I was you, we both know what you have planned for tonight will take the whole night. Now move!" Sookie slapped my arm and I threw my head back in frustration. She was right but I was so hungry.

"What about my burger? I need a full stomach to be able to participate in all the hot and dirty sex I have planned for tonight." Sookie just rolled her eyes at me. I suppose I did sound like a child. Lafayette then handed my burger wrapped up in some tissue.

"Take this and go. I can't hear any details from you until it happens. And don't forget to swirl your tongue; making his eyes roll back will guarantee you another rumble in the jungle." I smiled at Lafayette before kissing Sookie on the cheek and practically running out of the bar.

I could see the corners of Pam's mouth twitch as I walked up to the entrance of Fangtasia. She looked me up and down like a predator would their prey before giving me a satisfied smirk.

"I always knew you weren't from New York but still, I could forgive you if you let me be the one to remove that skirt," I smirked at Pam before biting my lip at her.

"Then I suppose it's a real shame I didn't meet you a few hundred years ago. That's when I was exploring all my sexual outlets." She smirked at me then moved aside and granted me access to the club. I walked into the club and felt several eyes fall on me. I may have been dressed in red but my pencil skirt and black blouse made me stick out like a sore thumb. I was here for one purpose and he was sitting on his throne with a dull look in his eye. I kept my eyes locked on him as I walked further into the club, hoping to grab his attention. When I finally did, he instantly appeared in front of me with a look of pure lust in his eyes before throwing me over his shoulder then heading into his office. It was as if he wanted everyone to see whom he was with and what he was doing. I, on the other hand, didn't pay any attention to anything except his marvellous arse.

He entered his office and placed me on the edge of his desk. I looked up at him as he pushed my skirt up my legs and stood between them. I pushed his jacket off of him then ran my hands under his top before that joined his jacket on the floor. He leaned down and attacked my neck, making me throw my head back in pleasure. We didn't need to say anything to each other. This was something that was a long time coming and I intended to savour every moment of it.

His lips then found mine as I pulled his head closer to me. My tongue fought for entry into his mouth, which he granted. I wrapped my legs around him with the intention of taking over; I was determined to be in charge. That was short-lived however when Eric ripped both my skirt and my blouse off leaving me sitting there in the lingerie he had sent me. His eyes roamed over me, taking in every detail of my body. He slowly kissed his way around my neck and taking my earlobe in his mouth. A shiver of pure pleasure ran down my body and I arched myself towards him.

"I see you found your little package. It looks better on you than I imagined. I'm still deciding whether I should rip it off you or fucked you like this." He continued his assault on my neck as I ran my hands down his back and into the waistline of his jeans. They were in my way and so I quickly unfastened them. I pushed both his jeans and his boxers down his waist and sighed in frustration as he stepped out of his shoes and them. He pulled me closer to him and I felt his hard-on before I had a chance to see it. I looked down and was definitely impressed with what I saw: I had been with many men over the years but none of them had a manhood that could compare to Eric's.

I raised my eyebrow at him then swiftly moved off of the table and crouched down in front of him. I wrapped my mouth around his extremely hard dick and slowly sucked. I heard him growl and knew he was sporting his fangs. I ran my tongue down his length and grazed him with my teeth. I was about to run my hand down him but he lifted me up and threw me on his desk. Just as he was about to lean over me, I placed my foot on his chest and pushed him back. He slammed into the wall and watched me as I slowly made my way over to him. I stepped out of my heels and pushed my thong down my legs before jumping at him.

Eric caught me and held me still as I wrapped my legs around me. "My, my, my, you are strong. I suppose you definitely can handle me," and with that, Eric thrust himself into my wet core. I sucked in a breath of delight as his whole length entered me. He spun us around and slammed me against the wall and started brutally pounding into me. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before and I wasn't complaining.

"Bite me." Eric looked down and I felt myself get lost in his eyes. They were truly remarkable and it was at that moment that I realised that I wasn't letting go of this man any time soon. He gave me a questioning look but I smiled, "I promise you it's like nothing you've ever tasted before." He slammed into me with so much power it would probably kill a human then sunk his fangs into my neck. Arousal and pleasure coursed through my veins as I could feel myself reaching my climax.

My orgasm hit me like a ton of bricks as I felt my walls clench around Eric's impressive dick. He pulled his head back from my neck and the sight of my blood around his mouth turned me on even more.

"I could get used to that lover." I unwrapped my legs from him and quickly threw him into his office chair. I smiled then said, "Blood of a God," before I climbed on top of him and purred as I felt him enter me again. This was going to be a long night.

Chapter 6

I felt myself purr as Eric gently ran his fingers along the curve of my body. We both lay completely naked on his bed. I had been surprised when he insisted on us coming back to his place but agreed nonetheless. His apartment was everything you would expect a 'bachelors' to be: an open living space with an adjoining kitchen (why he would need one I do not know), an impressive size TV (he probably doesn't even know how to use it) and two closed off bedrooms with ensuites big enough to hold both a bathtub and a shower. The other room was obviously Pam's. It wouldn't surprise me if she also had a walk-in wardrobe. The whole place had blacked out blinds, which meant that if Eric did rise before the sun, he wasn't confined to one space.

"Are you a natural blonde?" Eric twirled a strand of my hair around his fingers and watched as it curled back once he had let go. It was close to 3 am and we had spent the better part of the hour talking; something I hadn't expected. After our very rough and very loud session in his office, he bought me back to his so we couldn't be disturbed. He assured me that my car would be waiting for me outside his apartment building when I wanted to leave but secretly I hoped that it wasn't: I wanted to stay for as long as possible. Round 2 had started the instant we walked through his door, which was why we were now laying on his bed.

"Why? Do you think you can be the only blonde in this relationship?" Eric smirked then moved closer to me. "Yes, it's natural. It's lightened naturally over the years but I've never dyed it. I've never felt the need to. My mother hinted at me to go brown on several occasions but I think that was her way of telling me that she wanted me to look more like her than her sister."

He seemed satisfied with my answer ad went back to running his finger along my body. He stopped suddenly when he reached my left shoulder, "What's this?" I turned my head around and saw that he was referring to the small dove branded into my skin.

"I'm not too sure, Aphrodite gave it to about a thousand years ago. The dove is one of her symbols but I have no idea what it means. All she said was "you'll understand when the time is right." I guess that time hasn't come yet." I ran my palm down Eric's chest, enjoying the feel of his hard pecks and abs. he must have been in amazing shape when he was still human, it's the only explanation for such a body. "So what about you Viking, have any marks you can't explain?"

"None that I know of but speaking of marks, you haven't got any on your neck." His hand brushed my neck where he had bitten me in his office and I smiled. "I'm immortal remember? I heal fast, but the bigger the wound the longer it takes to heal. Anything through the heart takes the longest." Eric smirked at me as he flipped me over onto my back and blocked me in with his arms. He wasn't quite lying on top of but he was close enough so I could feel his presence.

"I take that to mean that I can bite you again. Not only did it arouse you even more, you are by far the most exquisite thing I have ever tasted. So rich and pure and yet so satisfying." I pushed myself up and bit down on my bottom lip. He made his infamous growling noise but it was short-lived. Just as he pulled away, my phone rang for the third time in the past 20 minutes. He reached over for it, about to silence it again but I grabbed his hand.

"Let me answer it. It might be important and the sooner I answer it, the sooner we can continue." Eric handed me my phone then rested his body on mine. He started placing small butterfly kisses along my stomach and up towards my boobs. I tried to push his head away but he was determined. "Sookie, this isn't a good time right now, can I call you back?"

I instantly sat up when I heard her crying and held my hand up to Eric. He stopped what he was doing and stayed very still. Once I hung up the phone, I jumped out of Eric's bed. "What's wrong? Has something happened?" I opened the drawer closest to me and felt relieved when I saw several of Eric's tops folded in there. I grabbed one and threw it on as I stepped into my heels.

"I'm sorry Erastís Mou, but I have to go. Sookie's brother is in trouble and they need me." Eric was suddenly in front of me. He held my face in his hands and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Don't leave me waiting too long lover." I smiled at him then rushed out the door.

"Where is he, Detective Bellefleur? I have been standing here for 3 hours and I've yet to see Jason! If you're denying him access to a lawyer then I will sue you so hard, you won't have time to brace yourself!"

I was not a force to be reckoned with at this moment in time. I had been up all night calming Sookie down and reassuring her that I was going to fix this. She was a complete wreck when I arrived back home. All she had told me was that Jason had been arrested for murder. Once I got her to calm down a little, she explained that Dawn Green, a girl she worked with, had been found strangled in her bedroom. Maudette Pickens had been found in the same way last month but I knew there were no leads.

Sookie had explained that they arrested Jason on his return to Dawn's house last night after an argument they had. I knew he had been seeing her but that was only because of her hostile attitude towards me; it wasn't common knowledge until now.

"You will not Alexandra because you are not Mr Stackhouse's lawyer." I gritted my teeth and turned to face Portia Bellefleur standing there with her high waisted, wide-leg black trouser suit. She had a smug look on her face and I couldn't wait to wipe it off. This whole 'alpha female' battle she was insisting on fighting was going getting tiring.

"Oh? Is that so? Are you implying that Jason used his one phone call to hire you? The one phone call he's been denied? I don't think so sweetie. I'm here because his next of kin asked me to be here. You, on the other hand, are a different story. Why are you here? How are you here?" Because Portia could answer, I did it for her. "You're here because you want the high profile case. Unfortunately, because your brother is the arresting officer and you're clearly crossing an ethical line, I cannot in good conscience allow you to represent Jason; professional courtesy and all that. Now, why don't you be a doll, a stand aside so I can do my job?"

Both Portia and Detective Bellefleur looked at me like I had punched them both in the gut. Detective Bellefleur quickly composed himself and led me into the Sheriff's department and opened a door that revealed Jason sitting down looking a bit worse for wear.

"Alexi? What are you doing here?" I gave Jason an encouraging smile then turned to face Andy. "I'd like a few moments alone with my client. After that you are welcome to continue your interrogation, with me present of course, and after I expect you to either arrest him or release him." I closed the door before he could answer then pulled a chair up next to Jason. I threw my arms around him and he melted into me. He was obviously distraught.

"You need to tell me everything Jason. I can't help you unless I know all the facts. You're facing a double homicide here and I'm going to try my best to help you. Take a deep breath and start from the beginning."

Jason dove into the story of how he had a few run-ins with Maudette and was with her on the night she was murdered. He told me that she was a 'fangbanger' and had filmed herself and another vampire having sex which led to them having rough sex. He swore that when he left her that night she had been fine. He then started a sexual relationship with Dawn and it was going great until he noticed she had fang bites on her. They started arguing and she fired her gun at him, which caused him to leave.

"I drove straight to Merlotte's and stayed there until they closed. If you ask either Tara or Sam they'd tell you too. I then drove back to Dawn's to apologise when I found her dead on her bed. I dialed 911 and the next thing I knew, I was being hurled into this room. You have to believe me, Alexi. I didn't do it."

The sheriff's department released Jason not long after our chat. The only link they had was that Jason had sex with both the victims and that wasn't enough to charge him with murder. I had been sitting at the kitchen table for the past 3 hours going over the police report. I managed to swipe a copy while they were distracted with something else. If I was going to help clear Jason's name, I needed to know what they knew. They had two sworn statements from both Tara and Sam that Jason was indeed at Merlotte's but there is a 20-minute window from Jason leaving the bar and placing his 911 call. I knew that 20 minutes was long enough to kill someone but without the official time of death, Jason's alibi was on thin ice.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I jumped out of my skin when I heard Eric's voice. I looked over and he was standing on the back porch. He had on his usual black jeans and boots but what surprised me was that he had on a grey v-neck shirt as opposed to his usual black vest. He looked as handsome as ever and it bought a smile to my face. I had been so caught up with the case that I had forgotten that I left him in the middle of the night.

"I should warn you now that I cannot be held responsible for my actions when I am jumped. Come in. It's just me tonight. Sookie's at Bill like she is most nights and I could do with the company." Eric walked in and sat down next to me. He leaned over and picked up the police report for Dawn.

"I didn't take you as the jealous type. If you wanted to kill every girl that I've fucked then you should have just said so. It would have saved you some time and maybe I would have enjoyed watching you in action. I like the effect I have on you." Eric tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and ran the back of his palm along my cheek. I closed my eyes and could feel myself melt into his touch. How would have known that a thousand-year-old Viking vampire could be affectionate? His words then registered with me.

"Wait, you fucked her? When? Where?" I turned to face Eric and pulled one leg up on my chair and wrapped my arms around it. "It wasn't long before I met you. She had been to the club a few times before that and one night; I was bored and hungry so I fucked her. As to where maybe one night I'll show you." I snatched Dawn's report out of his hand and handed him Maudette's.

"What about her? Have you seen her before?" Eric raised an eyebrow then handed the report back to me. "Once. She didn't appeal to me so I sent her away. I assume she found another vampire. Are you suggesting that the murderer is someone from my club?"

I had a quick read over Maudette's autopsy report but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Her time of death was between 3 am and 4 am, plenty of time for her to get back from Shreveport. "No, I don't think it was a vampire. But I do think I have found another link between the two of them besides Sookie's brother."

"Of course it wasn't a vampire. A vampire would have drained them to death; they wouldn't pass up the free meal. Strangulation is a human method. Although I don't understand why someone would use strangulation. There are many more effective ways to kill someone."

"They're probably an amateur. A person can always slow their heart rate down to make it seem like they were dead. I've done it many times in the past to get out of sticky situations. I tend to stick to my pair of bladed sai and use them to either slit someone's throat or pierce their heart. After 3000 years, I have no time for anything else other than a swift death."

I scanned through both of their reports again to make sure I hadn't missed anything before I stuffed all the pieces of paper in the folder and shut it. I got up and climbed into Eric's lap where he wrapped his arms around me.

"Your weapon of choice is a pair of sai? I expected it to be a sword." Eric's comment put a stop to the kisses I was planting on his neck. I looked up at him and smiled. "I may be a 3,000-year-old warrior but I know that carrying a sword around these days would raise suspicion. Although I am quite deadly with one. Ares made the blades for me when wars weren't fought with swords anymore. They're easier to hide and much more effective. They aren't an ordinary pair either; they adjust depending on my opponent. For example, if I plunged one of them into the heart of a vampire, the core would become wooden causing him, or her, to meet the true death."

Eric didn't say anything. Instead, he picked me up and swung me over his shoulder like he did the night before.

"Eric! Put me down you stupid Viking!"

"Now why would I do that? I left Pam in charge of the club tonight and she wouldn't be happy if she found out that I came here and didn't have my way with you. Now, I'm going to take you up to your room and have my way with you. If your bed happens to break, or your door, during the process then I will replace it. Understood?"

"Just don't rip my clothes off. At this rate, I'll have none left." If this was how Eric wanted to spend our nights then I was all up for it. Who needs sleep when you're immortal right?

For future reference, Erastís Mou (εραστής μου) means my lover in Greek. When I add Greek into the story, I'll be writing it in its phonetic spelling otherwise most of you may not be able to read it and I will let you know what it means at the end of the chapter
Also, if you don't know what a pair of sai is then google it. They're a big part of Alexi's future fight scenes so make sure you know what they are :)

Chapter 7

"I don't think this is a good idea Sookie. I'm already being watched for staking Longshadow to protect you. Killing another vampire is a very serious offense, even more so when it's to protect a human. I wish you would rethink this." I rolled my eyes at Bill's attempt to change Sookie's mind. It was like he was incapable of thinking that she had her own mind and could make her own decisions.

"You don't have to come with us Bill. I have Alexi to look out for me and we won't be long. We're only going to see if that son of a bitch that's framing my brother is there." "I still don't like the idea of you going to Fangtasia alone. You have no idea what vampires are capable of, especially ones that are hungry. They will kill you if you give them the opportunity."

I had enough of his little protection speech at this point. Don't get me wrong, I like Bill; he's a perfect gentleman and worships the ground that Sookie walks on but there's a limit. She may be 'his' in vampire terms but in girl terms, he was just overreacting and being an overbearing boyfriend.

"I think I'll be able to watch over her and make sure no one hurts her. Sookie's more than capable of looking after herself and I know she's shared with you my ability to be able to rip a vampire's head from its shoulders without breaking a sweat; even in this get-up." Sookie looked down at my outfit and smiled. I'll admit, the tight, short red dress wasn't something I would usually wear but we needed to blend in tonight. "Besides, Eric wouldn't let anything happen to us. She's safe."

Bill turned to look at me and held my gaze as if he was trying to glamour me. Surely Sookie had told him that it didn't work on me. Eric had tried to do it last night with no such luck and he was much more powerful than Bill. "That's what I'm worried about. Eric's never stepped in to stop bloodshed before, in fact, I'm sure he craves it." He then turned back to Sookie and grabbed her hands; "I would just feel better if I could accompany you tonight."

"We won't be able to blend if you're following us around all night and I trust that Eric would step in. He would protect Alexi, even if she is immortal, and I know that she'll protect me. I have to do this for Jason. I'll come straight over when we get back." With that, Sookie leaned over and kissed Bill on the cheek then sat up. She had paired a black vest top with my black leather pants and knee-high boots. She looked pretty damn hot and if Bill couldn't see that, then he was a fool. He followed us out of the house then vamped away as we reached my car.

"Does being immortal mean you have a lot of money?" I looked at Sookie over the hood of my car and rolled my eyes as I got in. "I suppose so. I've had a lot of high-paying jobs over the years and the money has just accumulated." Sookie shrugged her shoulders and fastened her seat belt. "It's just the people around here think you have a trust fund to afford such a nice car."

I laughed as I backed the car out of the drive. "I've seen cars evolve in such a short period of time and they amaze me. Besides, I've always had a thing for big cars." I winked at Sookie and watched as she blushed slightly due to reading between the lines.

I swatted Sookie's hand away from herself so she couldn't adjust her outfit. "I'm sorry, I just don't feel comfortable. I don't understand how people can wear these things. I can feel my legs chafing already."

"I gave you the choice of wearing a dress instead but you insisted on the leather pants so quit complaining. Besides I love those! I've had them since the 90's and they've never let me down. Now, we're here for a purpose and we both have our parts to play." Sookie pulled a face and followed me towards the entrance of Fangtasia. At this point, the club felt like my second home since I was sure I spent more time here than I did at work. I saw Pam manning the door and felt a touch jealous when I saw her corset; it was definitely something I would wear. She smiled when she saw us and allowed us to walk straight in.

"You sure you only want Eric? I could always join in." "You know better than anyone that Eric doesn't like sharing." Pam laughed then composed herself as she practically barked at the people waiting in line.

"What was that all about?" I smiled at Sookie and we made our way to the bar. The place was busy tonight which meant that maybe we could find a lead. Both Maudette and Dawn were into sex with vampires and both came to this club: someone here must know something.

"That was just Pam showing her affection for me. Eric said it was her way of telling me that she liked me." Eric's eyes then found mine and he held my gaze. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to go make myself known. Pay close attention to the girls in here for now. They could know something." Sookie nodded then watched me as I swayed over to Eric. He was sitting on his throne and watched me with intensity as I climbed the stage stairs and stood to the side of him. He turned to face me and ran a finger down the side of my face and the rest of my body as he whispered in my ear.

"I won't be able to resist you for long tonight lover. That dress is leaving little to my imagination and I think we still have a bed to break." I grinned at last night's memory. We had failed to break my bed but there were a few cracks on my bedroom wall. I leaned down and bit down on his earlobe then whispered back, "Just keep an eye out for anything suspicious and you'll get me soon. Patience is a virtue Erastís Mou." I walked back down towards Sookie and grinned at all the dirty looks I was receiving. Maybe if they knew they were trying to compete with the daughter of a God then they would give up.

Sookie passed me a bottle of beer as I approached her. She looked to be on her second gin and tonic and I could see a third one coming her way. "Thirsty?" "It just got a little hot in here that's all. For a moment there I thought you two were going to rip each other's clothes off and have sex on the stage." I grinned as I took a swig of my beer. "It was very tempting. Eric is a hard man to resist. What about you? Did you hear anything out of the ordinary?"

"Well that girl over there is convinced she could take you in a fight," she pointed to a redhead a few feet away from us who was shooting me daggers with her eyes, "but apart from that, nothing. Maybe we should just head home."

"Let's give it one more shot. We need to find another link."

I watched until Sookie was out of sight before I made my way into the house. Our plan had been a complete failure. Sookie couldn't find anything useful at the bar. No one seemed to have any murderous thoughts or thinking about either Maudette or Dawn. I was now out of ideas. It was clear that the murderer wasn't anyone from Fangtasia but I had promised Jason that I would help clear his name so I couldn't give up. I just had to figure out what my next step was.

I was about to put my key in the lock before I heard a noise from inside the house. It sounded like the creak of a floorboard but it wasn't loud enough to alert someone who wasn't use to hearing such low noises. Someone was in the house, someone who didn't live there and since only Bill and Eric were the only vampires that had invitations to the house, that someone was human. I slowly entered the house, being extremely careful not to make any noise. I stepped out of my heels and opened the draw where Sookie and I kept our unopened post. I lifted the bottom up to reveal a secret compartment where I kept my sai blades.

I stealthily moved through the house, being ready for whatever attack was about to come. I heard the movement of knives coming from the kitchen so I ran towards there. As I reached the kitchen, the hooded figure was already heading out of the back door. I threw one of my sai blades towards them and watched as it sunk into the back of their leg.

I ran after them but as I reached the side of the house, they were gone. I looked around but I couldn't see anything. There was no one in sight which meant whoever was in the house knew where they were going. I was fast but they were completely out of sight so I wouldn't know what direction to start running in.

I spun on my heel and as I made my way back to the house, I saw my sai blade. The intruder must have removed it before they took off. I picked it up and examined the blood in it. I suppose it was something.

I returned to the house and switched on the light. The knife draw was open with one thrown on the floor. They must have dropped it when they heard me. I grabbed some tissue and placed my bloody blade in it. Maybe Eric could help me with the blood sample. I'm sure he could distinguish if the blood was from a man or woman. I walked back through the house to see if anything else had been touched but everything looked in place. Everything except a framed picture of Sookie and I, which had been placed face down. I retrieved my phone from my bag then headed back to the kitchen. I placed my other blade on the worktop then dialed the number for Fangtasia.

"Fangtasia, the club with a bite, how may I help you?" The club with a bite? Seriously? Could Pam not think of anything else to say? "Hi Pam, it Alexi. I need to speak with Eric urgently, can you put him on?" She didn't say anything which I took to mean that she was going to get him.

"Miss me already or are you ready for me to rip that dress off of you?" "Hmm tempting but I actually need your help. When I arrived back home, someone was in the house. They were in the kitchen admiring our lovely knife collection. I managed to sink my blade into the back of their leg but they managed to getaway. I was wondering if you could see if you could pick anything up from their blood." The line then went dead. I sincerely hoped that was Eric's way of saying he would be right over otherwise it was just plain rude.

I picked up my blade and examined it. It hadn't gone in very deep but the wound would require stitches. If whoever it was had an ounce of sense, they wouldn't go to the emergency room; a knife wound like that would be hard to explain. What bugged me was how they knew how to disappear. They must be from around here but why here? No one knew I was seeing Eric except Sookie… "Mother Fucker!" They were after Sookie because of her relationship with Bill, that's why they were here tonight. They must have seen my car missing from the drive and assumed that she was alone. That sick fucker!

"Are you hurt?" I turned around and came face to face with Eric. Now that was fast.

"I'm fine. I must have spooked whoever it was because they ran when they heard me. I was about to walk into the house then I heard movement from inside the house. I grabbed my sai blades and managed to hit them with one. They were gone by the time I got outside." I held up my blade expecting Eric to grab it but he didn't.

"I can't touch silver." I looked up at him and smiled. "I know that I wouldn't give it to you if it could hurt. It would only turn to silver if I had the intention to hurt you. Ares did one hell of a job." He grabbed the dagger and I saw a look of relief on his life. Like he would think I would hurt him.

"Well it's definitely human but I suppose you already figured that one out since they were in the house. There's nothing abnormal about their blood: they aren't on any drugs nor have they got any alcohol in their system, but they are male. Probably just some random guy that hates vampires." I was impressed, he got all that from just smelling the blood. I took the blade back off of him and ran it under the water.

"I don't think it's a random attack. Whoever it was knew Sookie was seeing a vampire and knew where she lived. I think it's someone from Bon Temps. They knew how to get away and fast. I just wished I could have caught him." Eric sat and pulled me into his lap. I curled into him and stayed there for a while. I was beyond relieved that Sookie went straight to Bill's. I knew she was safe with him.

"I want you to take some of my blood." I moved out of Eric's grip and turned to face him. "Why? I don't need healing. He wasn't expecting me which was why he ran instead of attacking me." I swung my leg around so they were at either side of Eric's hips. He pulled my body flush against him as his fingers slowly crept up the hem of my dress.

"I know you don't but if you do, then it allows me to sense you. It'll also enhance your senses so if whoever it was comes back, you'll hear them before they see you." That was something I was not expecting from Eric. Bill had been so wrong about Eric; a man who 'craved' bloodshed would not insist upon me drinking some of his blood to help protect me. I nodded my head and watched Eric as he bought his wrist up to his mouth and bit into it using his fangs. His blood starting oozing out of his wound as he held it up to my mouth. I placed my mouth there and rolled my eyes back as I felt his blood course through my body; it was unlike anything I had ever tasted. There was no way to describe the way it tasted or the effect it was having on me.

I pulled away and watched as his wrist started to heal. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand then kissed Eric. His hand slid into my hair and grabbed the back of my neck. He pulled my head back and started kissing my neck. I felt his fangs press down into my neck and a low moan erupted from my mouth. If I had known that drinking Eric's blood would make me feel this good then I would have done it sooner.

Once he pulled away from my neck, I jumped up off his lap and started pulling him towards the staircase. "Come on Viking, you promised me a broken bed." As I reached the bottom of the staircase, however, I noticed a large raven sitting on the porch. I stopped dead in my tracks and Eric crashed into me.

"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" I quickly turned to Eric and smiled. "Nothing, I just think I left my car unlocked. You go on upstairs and I'll be there in a minute." He dipped his head and kissed me lightly on the lips before vamping up to my room. I opened the front door but saw that the raven was gone. I quickly closed the door again and leaned into it as I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. He's here.

Chapter 8

I opened my eyes then shielded them from a bright light. It was almost golden as if someone had wrapped the sun in a layer of gold and it shone through. I sat up and realised I wasn't lying in my bed. It looked like I was in a sun lounger like the one Sookie has in her garden, but this one wasn't made of metal. It felt soft and there was a white sheet on top of it with a gold embossment. I pulled the cloth up to me but saw that my hand was glowing, as was my other hand. I looked down at myself and gasped when I saw that I was wearing a peplos: the robe I was expected to wear on Olympus. The white silk material clung to my body like a second skin; the slit up the right side left little to the imagination. I started to panic; if this was Apollo's sick idea of a joke then I was royally screwed.

"You are a vision lover." Eric's voice hummed through my ears as I looked up and saw him walking towards me. He wasn't glowing like me but Apollo's sun was shining down on him. He had on a chilton robe, covering the lower part of his body. I watched him as he walked towards me and felt myself smile: he truly was a vision. He almost looked like he was floating towards me. He lay next to me then ran his hand up the exposed part of my leg.

"How are you here? The sun is shining down on you and you aren't burning. Where are we Eric? We can't be on Olympus because you aren't allowed here. If Zeus knew you were, then there would be no escaping." His hand continued its assault on my leg like he hadn't heard a word I said. He was also humming a very familiar tune. "I'm here because of you. Because you called me. I will always come when you call me." He pulled my head towards him and started to kiss me. His hand rose further into my robe and I moaned in pleasure as he slipped one finger into my wet core. His mouth dipped down to my neck where he began to place small kisses along my neckline.

I looked around to ensure that no one would see us: if I had brought him to Olympus then I needed to make sure no one saw us. Bringing someone to Olympus without Zeus' permission would see me spending the rest of my existence in servitude. My eyes then widened when I saw Aphrodite watching us from a distance. She truly was beautiful with her long blonde hair and golden skin. Just as I was about to push Eric off of me, she placed one finger on her perfectly formed lips then winked at me. Eric then burred his fangs into my skin and a loud moan erupted from my mouth. He growled as he pulled away then started to make his way down my body…

I shot up and instantly looked around. I wasn't on Olympus nor was I glowing. The sun was shining in through my window but it wasn't golden like the sun was on Olympus. I looked over and saw that Eric was gone. I shook my head in confusion as I swung my legs out from my bed. I had thought I could tell the difference between a dream and reality by now. I usually know when Morpheus was trying to seduce me but I don't think that was him in my dream; it must have been Eric. Sookie was right when she said that vampire blood causes you to dream about that vampire. I could still feel his lips on my neck and his body next to mine.

Vampire blood didn't explain the presence of my aunt though. It was as if she was actually in my dream, watching me and encouraging me. I had an amazing relationship with Aphrodite but it still didn't explain why she was there or what she was doing. It was times like this when I wished the Gods lived in the 21st century with mobile phones: it would save a lot of candles.

I looked over at my alarm clock and noticed that it was only 7 am. I attempted to get up but once I placed my hands down in an effort to push myself up, I heard my bed creak. I looked over and saw that I was sitting in what looked like a dip in my bed. It looks like Eric and I finally managed to break my bed. I smiled at the memory of last night but then stopped when I saw the raven sitting outside my window. I stomped over and shut the blind before heading to the bathroom for a nice shower. Today was not the day to deal with Him.

"So the only lead we have is that the murderer is a man and knows Bon Temps really well." Sookie kept her voice low to stop the possibility of anyone overhearing us. If anyone found out that I had a copy of the police report then I would probably lose my job. The idea of not seeing Portia Bellefleur every day was appealing but then I would have nothing to do with my day. Sex was out of the question since Eric had to sleep during the day. I would have to find a mortal hobby.

"It could be anyone Sook. I really wish I knew who it was but we'll find him. Jason just needs to keep his head down until we do." Sookie nodded in agreement then got up to continue with her shift. "Umm Alexi, I don't think that's going to happen." I looked up at Sookie then turned my head to look at what she was looking at. I shot up as I saw Jason playing pool with Rene, Hoyt and a brunette I hadn't seen before. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

"Great. I'm gonna need another drink." Sookie nodded at me then half walked half ran over to the bar. She returned a moment later with a bottle of beer and a bourbon on the rocks. I smiled as I necked the bourbon back in one then took a swig out of my beer bottle. A strong smell caught my attention at that moment. I breathed in a couple of times and realised the smell also had a faint trace of iron; it was blood. I could smell blood. I scanned Merlotte's and saw that no one was bleeding; well not that I could see. I reached into my bag and pulled out the small blood sample I had collected from the back garden this morning. I held it up to my nose and realised it was the same smell: the murderer was in the bar.

Their wound must have opened and since no one had grabbed the back of their right leg, they didn't know. Eric's blood must have enhanced my senses to the point where I could smell something that only a vampire could. I needed to get Sookie out of there, she wasn't safe. At that moment, Bill walked in and whispered something in Sookie's ear. She nodded at what he said then walked out the back with him. I grabbed my bag and got up to follow them.

"Whoa, slow down lover." Eric grabbed my hand and swung me around so that I faced him. He was wearing a black suit that fitted him in all the right places. I also knew that his black shirt fitted him like a glove. He looked breathtaking but also so sinister at the same time. It felt like he was created for me; he is my equal in this world. I saw Pam standing by the entrance of the bar wearing a soft pink trouser suit and standing next to a vampire that I didn't recognise.

"What are you doing here?" "Well Bill needed to speak to Sookie and I thought it was a good opportunity to see you. Sit with me?" He gestured to the booth I had just gotten out of and I nodded. He sat down opposite me and smiled. "So this is where you spend your time when you aren't with me? It seems cosy." I laughed at his attempt to appear human. I could feel everyone's eyes on us. Eric's presence was hard to ignore and he seemed to have an alluring effect on everyone.

"Well, I have to find something to do to pass the time. What did Bill need to speak to Sookie about? I've gotta get her out of here, it isn't safe anymore." I grabbed Eric's hand and pulled him down so he could hear me better, "I think the murderer is here, now. I smelt blood before you got here and it smelt the same as the blood from yesterday. I just can't place where it's coming from." Eric looked around then back at me.

"I smell it too, but it's very faint. I can't pinpoint who it is. The bleeding must have stopped." Eric started to move his fingers across the back of my hand. The touch sent shivers down my spine and it reminded me of the dream I had of him this morning. "Let's go back to your place. I'm sure Pam can handle the club for tonight and I want nothing more than to entwine our bodies together while you touch me."

"As much as I love touching you lover, I can't tonight. Bill's hearing with the Magister is in a few hours and I must accompany him. I am his sheriff and his actions reflect upon me. I won't be gone long but when I return, I promise to spend hours in bed with your naked body pressed up against mine."

"His hearing? With the Magister? What for? Why?" Eric suddenly appeared next to me and I heard the gasps for those watching us. He held my waist with one hand and my face with another. "I always forget that you have a curious mind. Bill killed Longshadow in the presence of three humans, two of which cannot be glamoured. I understand his reasons for doing so, but as Sheriff of area 5, I had to report the incident to the Magister. If he hadn't have been so reckless, I would have dealt with Longshadow and this could have been avoided."

"Well I'm not exactly human and it wasn't something I had never seen before. Did you report what happened the first night I was at Fangtasia to the Magister too?" He brushed his thumb along my lips and smiled. "Of course not. I simply said that a vampire attacked a human outside my establishment and I used my discretion to execute said vampire and glamour the human involved. I cannot tell the Magister of your true nature. He would report you to the Authority and they would classify you as a risk to our existence and sought out a way to kill you. I cannot let that happen."

I nodded in agreement. "Just don't be gone too long and don't let them sentence Bill to the true death. Sookie loves him and I love her." Eric nodded then pulled me up from the booth and wrapped his arms around me. Sookie then returned with Bill following her. Her eyes were bloodshot and she was trying to hide her tears.

"Be safe lover. I must go now." He leaned down and kissed me. I smiled into his kiss but he pulled away before I could deepen it. "Come back to me Erastís Mou," "Always," then they all vamped out of Merlotte's. Sookie ran up to me and held onto me as she cried quietly into my shoulder. "Come on Sook, we gotta get out of here."

"How can you defend him after he reported my boyfriend to their whatever? Do you not care that I may never see Bill again?" I knew Sookie was upset but I never expected her to blame me for Bill's trial.

"Eric was just doing his job. They have certain rules to follow like we do and like I do when I'm with my own kind. Do not blame Eric because Bill acted irrationally and did not think about the consequences of his actions."

"Bill was right, you're exactly the same as him. You don't care whose life you ruin to get what you want. You used me to help you sleep with Eric and didn't care that I was put in harm's way!" With that, Sookie stormed out of the house and ran towards the cemetery. I didn't bother chasing after her; I knew she was going to Bill's to calm down. She was upset and was taking it out on me.

I slumped down on the couch and removed my shoes. I still wanted to keep Sookie safe but she was safe at Bill's. No one would think to look for her there especially after her and Bill's teary goodbye earlier. I also knew that I was probably on the killer's hit list after my kiss with Eric but it was a good thing; I would rather he came after me than Sookie.

"Don't think too much Erastís Mou, you may get worry lines." I shot up and came face to face with Apollo. He stood in the living room dressed only in a pair of shorts. When the God's visited the human world, they had a unique sense of dress. His blonde hair seemed lighter than usual against his glowing skin but apart from that, he looked his usual evil sense.

"I am not, nor will I ever be your lover. What are you doing here? You know you cannot summon me without permission first and I don't think you following me around as a raven was a good omen. Now tell me why you're here or I'll throw you through a wall. It won't hurt you but it'll make me feel good."

"You're temper is as high as ever polemistís, but you must learn to control it. I'm not here to summon you nor do I mean you any warm. My reason for this visit is completely selfless. I'm here to warn you." I let out a small laugh and folded my arms across my chest.

"You expect me to believe that you came here to help me as opposed to bringing me more misery? It's just like you. When you see and feel that I am finally happy with the life you cursed me with, you find a way to intervene. If you love me like you claim to do then why do you bring me such pain?"

Apollo moved closer to me and held a strand of my hair in his hand. He was so close, I could feel the heat radiating off of him; heat that I had never felt from Eric. "I do not wish to see you suffer Alexandra, nor am I here to intervene with your life. I could not sabotage your new infatuation with Lamina's son even if I wanted to, Aphrodite has made sure of that." I moved away from him and held his gaze. "What do you mean Aphrodite has made sure of that?"

"That is not a conversation you can have with me. I am here to warn you of a great danger that is heading your way. It is unlike anything you have ever faced before and you cannot defeat it alone. These will help you," Apollo reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch. He handed them to me then held my hand, "they are epoúlosi herbs. Keep them on you at all times. I must bid you farewell but do not forget what I have said," and then he was gone. I could feel my skin burn from his touch but I knew he was telling the truth. He always made everything so confusing.

Just to clear up a few things that may confuse you, Peplos and Chilton robes are traditional clothing worn by Ancient Greeks.
Polemistís (πολεμιστής) means 'warrior' in Greek and Epoúlosi (επούλωση) simply means healing.

Also, Lamina, in Greek Mythology, was a vampiric underworld spirit. She was also someone Hera cursed but for the purpose of this story, she is who the God's believe vampires came from.

Chapter 9

Sookie was nowhere to be seen when I woke up the next morning. I contemplated taking her some food since I doubt that Bill would keep some at his place but then thought against it; if she wasn't home yet then it meant she still needed some time alone. Bill is her first love and love makes you do crazy things; even pushing away your demi-God best friend. I had lived with humans long enough to know that by now. Mortal relationships may have changed over the past few thousand years but love hadn't.

I had gotten married during a time when most marriages where arranged. Women were expected to be virgins and their bloody bedsheets were hung out of the window the next morning for the whole village to see. I didn't gain my sexual maturity until I spent time with Aphrodite and Sookie was just starting out. I couldn't be mad at her because I understood where her emotions were coming from.

I sliced up some fresh fruit and left half of it in the fridge for Sookie. It was needed on a hot Louisianan morning like this and it was also my little peace offering. I was about to head out the door but the phone ringing stopped me.

"Hello?" "Alexi?" I heard Jason's voice and instantly froze. He didn't sound like his usual charming self. He almost sounded afraid. "Jason? Jason, what's wrong? Where are you?" I jumped back in shock when I heard the sound metal slamming against metal.

"I need your help. Amy's dead and I was the only one that was there. What if I did it? What if I'm the killer?" "You are not the killer so don't doubt yourself. I'll be right there, don't say anything without me, understand?" Jason agreed then I practically ran out of the house. I dialed Sookie's number then jammed my phone between my shoulder and ear as I reversed out of the drive.

"Hello?" "I know you're mad at me Sook but you have to listen. There's been another murder and Jason's been arrested again, he thinks he did it. I'm heading down to the Sheriff's station now. I'll see you down there." I hung up before I heard a reply and threw my phone on the passenger seat.

I rushed into the Sheriff's department and demanded to see Jason. The girl behind the desk (I always forget her name) pointed me towards an interrogation room. I rushed in there and saw Detective Bellefleur and Sheriff Dearborne questioning him.

"Jason don't say anything else. Why have you arrested my client?" Sheriff Dearborne stood up and faced me. "Good morning Miss Rosebud," I cringed at the sound of my fake last name. I had been making them up since the Vikings introduced them to England after the Battle of Hastings and I had gotten worse at them as the years progressed. Maybe next time I could borrow Eric's surname. Alexandra Northman had a better ring to it. "Mr Stackhouse was the only one in the house and the only one that knew Miss Burley. Why would someone else want to kill her?"

"Why would my client murder her? He was probably having the best sex of his life and wanted to keep it private. That isn't a crime. Perhaps someone broke into his house and killed her. Why have you ruled that theory out?" "Because there was no sign of forced entry. She was killed in the same way as Miss Pickens and Miss Green. Mr Stackhouse has had sexual relationships with all these women and does not have an alibi. I'm sorry but we have no choice but to charge him."

I looked down at Jason as he hung his head in defeat. He genuinely believed that he had killed her. I knew he was innocent but I needed more physical evidence. I couldn't reveal my true self and admit that I had stolen a police file, threw a sai blade into the murderer's leg when he tried to escape, got my sort of vampire boyfriend to tell me that the blood belonged to a male and that because of said boyfriend's blood, I knew the murderer was in Merlotte's the night before.

"I won't give up. I know he isn't the killer and if you won't do a damned thing to try and find the real killer then I will." I turned to Jason and pulled him into a hug. "I know it wasn't you and I'm going to find the sick son of bitch who did this and clear your name. Just hang in there." He nodded and I watched as they led him out and back into a cell. I took a moment to compose myself then headed back to the reception area where I saw Sookie trying to get information about Jason out of the officers.

"You will tell me where he is or so help me, I will tear apart this building until I find him." She turned away from the desk then stopped when she saw me. I knew that look. She wanted me to tell her that everything was okay and that Jason was right behind me. I shook my head at her and watched as she fell apart again. I rushed over to her and held her as she sobbed into my chest. She tried to push me away but I held onto her. We were in this together whether she liked it or not.

"Okay now you're just making stuff up. So Sam is a shapeshifter and you found him lying naked at the bottom of Bill's bed this morning?" Sookie just nodded as she took another gulp from her drink. I had heard of shapeshifter's before I don't think I've ever met one. Not that I would know; they weren't easy to spot like vampires were.

Sookie and I were standing outside Merlotte's for Arlene's engagement party. I didn't really know her well but Sookie insisted that I join her tonight since Bill couldn't. When we returned home from the Sheriff's station she apologised to me. She said that she knew it was childish to blame me but she was just so upset.

After we had made up, I cooked lunch for both of us and explained to Sookie what Eric and I had discovered last night at Merlotte's. She has shocked that I was able to smell the blood from such a distance. Her senses also enhanced after she drank Bill's blood but never to that extent. I explained to her that I had more enhanced senses than a mortal so it was logical that my senses, when mixed with the blood of a vampire who was as old as Eric, could match that of a vampire's. It may also explain why my dreams of Eric were so vivid.

The night before, I had another dream of him but this time we were laying on a beach somewhere watching the tide come in under the moonlight. I could feel the sand in between my toes and the feel of Eric's body pressed up behind mine. If I was guaranteed those kind of dreams every night, especially when Eric was away, then I knew I wouldn't miss him that much. Besides, what's a couple of days apart to two immortals?

"I wish Jason was here. He loved going anywhere where there was free beer." I gave Sookie a reassuring smile then continued to watch Arlene and Rene dance. She seemed really happy and I was glad. I was a helpless romantic at heart although Sookie disagrees. She firmly believes that I have rejected the idea of love because of what was done to me 'out of love' and that was why I am so drawn to Eric: we're both dark. I laughed at her revelation and said that I do believe in love; my aunt was the Goddess of love and I would never doubt her.

I had chosen not to tell Sookie about Apollo's little visit. I was still a little shaken by his warning. The more I thought about it, the more it terrified me because I knew he risked a lot by coming to me in person. I kept the epoúlosi herbs in my bag because they were handy to have since they healed all wounds (courtesy of Apollo's own creation).

"We'll get to the bottom of it Sook. Whoever it is will probably try to attack again and when he does, we'll be ready for him. Killing all those girls because they had been with vampires is childish and I want nothing more than to wrap my hands around his throat and see if he likes being strangled."

"I told you that you were dark. Do you get a kick out of violence?" I laughed at Sookie and shook my head. "Only is blood is drawn." "If that isn't the definition of dark and twisted then I don't know what is. Wait, how did you know that Amy had been with a vampire?"

"I don't but I know she had V in her system. I managed to peek a look at her autotypy report. Although, she could have had puncture marks on the inside of her thigh, easier to conceal there. I wonder what it will feel like if Eric fed from my femoral artery. Apparently, it increases your sex drive." I laughed at the look of disgust on Sookie's face. "Oh please, you were thinking it to. Don't try and tell me that you don't allow Bill to feed from you because I know you do. Besides, I think you need a boost in your sex drive. Remind me to order you some things from Victoria Secret. If Bill is anything like Eric then you're gonna need new lingerie every week."

Sookie laughed and turned bright red. I found it adorable when she gets embarrassed with me. As Sookie composed herself, Sam made his way over to us. "I'm impressed with what you've done with the place. Perhaps you should host all of Bon Temps' parties," Sam laughed and awkwardly looked at Sookie. I think he was still trying to figure out if she was going to tell anyone his little secret.

"I'll take a pass on that one. Maybe you should do it Alexi. I'm sure you're looking for an excuse to get more involved in the community." "That's a no from me." He laughed then ran his hand through his hair. "I gotta go get some more ice. Most of it's gone already." Just as he was about to walk off, Sookie piped up, "I'll go!" She was gone before either of us could say anything. Sam shook his shoulders then walked back over to where the food was set out.

I laughed at the awkward interaction and continued to watch everyone dance. It reminded me of the festivals we use to throw in Greece. They were almost always to give thanks to the Gods but it was more than that. All the women would prepare and cook the food while the men had several competitions to see who was the strongest. Once all the children had been tucked in though, we would dance and drink until the early hours of the morning. I missed dancing: I missed the way my feet would move to the music and how we would all dance together.

I continued to reminisce about my mortal life when I noticed that Sookie hadn't returned yet. That was strange. I walked towards the entrance of the bar then heard a glass break. I rushed inside and saw a dark figure running towards the back of the bar. I chased after him but stopped when I saw Sookie curled up on the floor in the kitchen. I ran to her and held her.

"What happened?" "He was here, he wanted to kill me. I saw his thoughts Alexi. He was imagining what it would be like to strangle me and watch me die like the others. I was so scared." I held her close to me then slowly lifted her up and walked her over to the bar. I picked up the bottle of tequila and poured her a glass. "Drink that. It'll calm you down." She nodded then indicated for another one after. I poured her two more just as Sam walked in.

"What's going on?" Sookie didn't even move at the sound of his voice. I walked over to him and dragged him over to the other side of the bar where Sookie couldn't hear us. "Look, Sookie told me about you but don't worry, I won't say anything. I know more than anyone the importance of such a secret. But I need you to take care of her for the next couple of days; at least until I can figure out who the hell is after her. Whoever it is won't stop until he kills her and I can't allow that to happen."

"And how are you gonna do that? Ask your vampire boyfriend to interrogate everyone who has an issue with vampires?" I grabbed Sam but his collar and pushed him into the wall behind him. His eyes widened as I lifted him up off the floor.

"Don't you dare bring him into this shifter. I'm asking you because I know Sookie will be safe with you while Bill is away." I placed him back down but didn't release my hold on his collar. "I thought she was safe with me but after I found that fucker in our house the other night and now her being attacked here, she isn't." "And how do you expected to find whoever it is? Last I checked lawyers weren't trained to hunt down serial killers."

I released him and stepped back. "Even you should be able to tell that I'm more than a lawyer by now. Just keep her safe please." He nodded then watched me as I walked back over to her.

"For a moment there I thought you were gonna throw him through the wall." "Oh I wanted to. I think it's best if you stay with Sam for a little while, at least until we figure out who is after you. You'll be safe with him and Bill will be back before you know it."

She smiled then followed Sam out of the bar. I sat down in her seat and poured myself a drink. After about my fifth one, I felt an unusual pain on my left shoulder. I shrugged out of my jacket and touched the dove brand that Aphrodite had given me. It felt tender to touch, almost like it was burning. I shrugged it off and continued to pour myself another drink.

Aphrodite confused me. Apparently branding me with a dove was a gift and that I would understand when the time was right. It didn't cross my mind until several hundred years later. At the turn of the 20th century I was in America traveling from state to state. I had had enough of England and wanted to see more of America. I was in San Francisco at the time posing as a rich socialite from England, something I did quite well.

I was walking home one night when I felt my shoulder burn for the first time. At first I didn't know what it was but when it did the same thing the next night, I knew it was something to do with the Gods. At first I thought it was Aphrodite summoning me but when she didn't appear, I assumed that the mark was linked to my emotions. I had been lonely at the time so I thought it was her way of telling me to find a lover to help me pass the time.

It continued to burn but then suddenly stopped one night; just as suddenly as it had started. I saw what looked like a vampire holding a man by his neck against a lamppost. I didn't realise there were vampires in California. Standing next to them was a blonde woman who looked at the vampire with awe. I continued to walk and noticed the shoulder-length hair of the vampire. I couldn't see his face at this point but he intrigued me. I quickly glanced behind at him when I walked past and remember thinking to myself he looked stunning. I managed to pull my gaze away from his blue eyes and continued walking.

My thoughts returned to the present and I shot my head up. Eric. He was the vampire that night. It was him who I walked past and Pam was standing next to him. She looked human at the time so it must have been before he changed her. I knew there had to be a reason why I had a feeling longer hair would suit him: it was because I had seen him with longer hair before.

I still had no idea what my mark meant though. My little revelation just made me more confused. I slumped my head back down and continued drinking. Maybe that would help clear my thoughts.

Chapter 10

I hadn't seen Sookie all day nor did I want to; it was safer for her if I didn't know where she was. Sam had sent me a text earlier saying that she was fine and he would let me know if anything changed. I hadn't gotten home from work till past 8 that night so decided to spend the evening in my pajamas in front of the TV. Halfway through my tub of ice cream, I heard a knock at the door. I rolled my eyes as I got up and pulled my robe over my body; my idea of pajamas was a lacy negligee which wasn't something I wanted a random stranger to see me in. I opened the door and instantly smiled.

"Hello lover." Eric stood there looking as gorgeous as ever in his usual black trousers and top. I practically jumped into his arms and wrapped my hands around his neck as he firmly held me. He laughed at my actions then carried me into the house and straight up the stairs to my bedroom. I had managed to fix my bed whilst he had been away. There wasn't enough time to buy one but I still intended on him replacing it. He placed me down on the bed with him and turned to face me.

"I wasn't expecting you back so soon but I'm glad you're here. I missed you more than I thought I would but your presence in my dreams helped with the pain." He smiled then pushed my robe off of my shoulder. "I should have mentioned that my blood would have that effect on you but I didn't think you would mind. Is everything okay lover? I noticed that Sookie isn't around and yesterday I felt that you were distressed. Did something happen?"

"I'm fine. Sookie was attacked last night at the bar so I asked her boss Sam, who is also a shapeshifter, to look after her. It was clear that she wasn't safe with me anymore and this way I can continue to look into who is after her, although I don't have much to go on. What happened at the trial? Is everything okay?"

Eric's hand curled around my waist and he pulled me flush against his body. I could feel his erection through his jeans and let out a low moan; dreams were nothing like the real thing. He slowly started to kiss my neck then whispered to me as he reached my ear, "I don't want to talk about anything right now." He kissed me hard on the lips and forced my lips apart with his tongue. He shifted on top of me and I could hear him kicking his boots off. I pulled his top off over his head and started to unfasten his jeans.

He pulled the top of my negligee down to expose my breasts. He dipped his head down and caught one nipple in his mouth as his pinched my other nipple between his fingers. He softly bit my nipple and a loud moan erupted from my lips. Eric growled as he removed my negligee and stared down at my naked body. I smiled at him and I pushed his jeans past his hips freeing his extremely hard and large dick. I licked my lips then cried out in pleasure as I felt Eric's tongue lick my clit. I hadn't even seen him place my legs on his shoulder. He pushed my legs wider apart then held my waist firmly. His tongue dipped inside my wet core then was replaced by one of his fingers. He continued to massage my clit with his tongue, sending pulses of pleasure throughout my body.

I could feel my release and Eric must have too because he entered another finger into my core, causing my orgasm to take over my body. I felt myself ride out my orgasm with Eric's fingers still inside of me. He then started to kiss his way up my body and smiled as he reached my lips. Tasting myself on his tongue was the most erotic things I had ever experienced. Eric slipped himself into my wet core and started to pound into me. With every thrust I could feel my wave of pleasure build up again. He was the best lover I had ever been with and now he was showing me why.

I started to move up hips upward, meeting him with every thrust. He growled in my ear then bit down on my neck. I arched up body up to him and continued to meet his thrusts. Him biting me during sex was the most blissful thing in the world; it brought untouched nerves to life and my whole body felt like it was in utopia. I could feel another orgasm start to rise but tried to suppress him, hoping to last longer.

"Let it go lover, we have all night." At Eric's request, I allowed my second orgasm to take over my body. He helped me ride out my orgasm then collapsed on me as he reached his own. He rolled off of me and allowed me to catch my breath.

"Missed me that much huh?" Eric looked over at me and grabbed me before I had time to move. He pinned my body to his and chuckled in my ear.

"Oh that was just the warm-up. I don't intend to stop next time."

"Looks like you got the welcome home party I wanted." I held my hand up to Sookie as I headed straight to the coffee machine. I was in no fit state to communicate with anyone until I had my caffeine fix. I poured myself a cup then sat down without adding milk or sugar to it. Sookie raised an eyebrow at me as I gulped down the hot substance.

"Bloody selfish vampires. They keep you up all night with their amazing bedroom skills then leave to play dead at dawn. It's like Eric assumes my internal clock works like his. I only managed to get a couple of hours before the sun got too bright. What happened with you and Bill last night? I was expecting you to look like me."

"Well that was my plan. I was over the moon when Bill turned up at Merlotte's last night. He practically whisked me away back to his but before we could do anything, his daughter stormed into his bedroom stating that she was hungry."

I could feel my mind drifting off whilst Sookie was talking to me; my attention span was non-existent after a night for really loud, really hard and really long sex which resulted in only two hours sleep. However, at the mention of a daughter, my mind snapped back to reality and I looked up at Sookie. Her face was emotionless so I knew this wasn't her idea as a joke.

"A daughter? As in 'daddy will you please drive me to school?'" "More along the lines of 'daddy can you please show me how to feed off a human?' Her name is Jessica and she is Bill's new vampire daughter. That was his punishment for killing Longshadow: he took a vampire life and so he will make another vampire. After that, sex was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to come home but the idea of trying to sleep whilst the two of you were going at it was off-putting. Speaking of you two going at it, what are you wearing?"

I looked down at myself and saw that I was in Eric's top from last night. He must have left without it. "Well it looks like Eric's top. I went to grab my nightdress but saw it was ripped down the back and I picked up this. He has got to stop ripping my things or at least replace them. And I loved that nightdress." "The pink silk one?" I nodded and Sookie's face fell.

"I liked that one. The thought of putting it in my draw had crossed my mind several times before now. I guess that does explain why your wash load has shrunken in size. Is Eric really that rough in bed?" I looked over at Sookie and suddenly she wasn't that innocent blonde girl I had met on my first day in Bon Temps. She was someone else and she was asking me about my sex life.

"You have no idea Sook and I'm afraid that if I do tell you, it may corrupt you. But I will tell you this: sex with Eric is never boring, even in plain old missionary." Sookie giggled at me then stood up and grabbed her bag.

"Well I'm off to work. I'll see you at 5 and I promise I will let Sam walk me out to my car." "Good and then we'll talk about your potential step vampire daughter. Sex should only increase after the kids are born." She continued to laugh as she headed out of the house. I got up and grabbed another cup of coffee, one with milk and sugar, then headed upstairs to shower. It was going to be a long day.

I was halfway through sweeping the living room floor when something caught my eye. I had decided to waste time by cleaning the house since it had been deprived of a good clean by Sookie and me lately. I bent down brushed my hand over what looked like clay. On closer inspection I saw it was brick dust. What would brick dust be doing in the house? It crumbled away as I rubbed it in between my hands. I looked up and saw it was by the bookcase, the same bookcase that held the photo of Sookie and I that the killer turned down.

The brick dust must have come off of his shoe when be broke into the house. I tried to think of where the dust must have come from; it wasn't something that everyone in Bon Temps had access to. The only time I had seen it before was when Jason had bought it into the house after he finished work at the road crew but he hadn't been around the house since before the attack.

I tried think about who else worked there that could be considered as a suspect but came up blank. It didn't make any sense. I went to get up but it was in that moment something hit me around the head.

My eyes slowly started to open as I fought to stay conscious. The ringing in my ears drew my attention to my pounding headache; they took longer to heal. I looked around and saw that I was lying in a pool of blood: my blood. A blow like that would probably have killed me if I were mortal. I tried to think back to what happened but Sookie's screams distracted me. I pushed myself up and dragged myself towards her voice.

I saw what looked like Rene trying to wrap his hands around Sookie's neck. My adrenaline then kicked in and I ran up to him and threw him off of Sookie. She looked up at me with wide eyes then held onto me as I pulled her up.

"Look out!" I turned and saw Rene swing the shovel at us. I held up hands up across my chest and watched as the shovel hit an invisible wall. I took advantage of the distraction and landed a kick to Rene's stomach that sent him flying across the room. I held on to Sookie as we ran out of the house. I needed to get her to safety and the only place I could think of was Bill's. I dragged her across the front lawn and into the cemetery.

"What was that? Why didn't the shovel touch us? What did you do?" We continued to run but it was proving to be difficult with Sookie's injuries. I was still very weak but keeping Sookie safe was more important. "It doesn't matter. We have to get you to safety. Once I get you to Bill's then I'll handle Rene."

I could see Bill's house in the distance and sighed in relief, we were almost there. I could feel Sookie growing weaker but I held her up. She then stumbled on what looked like a rock and collapsed taking me with her. I managed to get back up but saw that Sookie was struggling; looks like I was going to have to drag her.

"You stupid fangbangers, think you could escape huh?" I looked up and saw Rene making his way over to us. His Cajun accent was gone and he was still holding his shovel. I dragged Sookie away and left her by one of the gravestones. "How are you still standing? I watched as you bled out." Rene tried to swing the shovel at me again but I caught it mid air and yanked it out of his hand. He stumbled forward then went flying backwards when a dog, which had come out of nowhere, attack him.

"Sam!" I watched as Rene pushed Sam, in his dog form, off of him, pick up a stone and run towards me. I anticipated his move before he made it so I stepped out of his line of fire and grabbed his head between my hands. I saw Sookie's eyes go blank as I snapped Rene's neck and watched as his lifeless body fell to the ground. I then fell to my knees as I felt incredibly weak. The last thing I remembered was Sookie screaming my name.

"As I told Detective Bellefleur earlier, Rene knocked me to the ground and as he walked towards me, I kicked him backwards which caused him to fall and break his neck on the gravestone behind him." Sheriff Dearborne nodded then wrote notes in his small notepad. When I regained consciousness, Sookie had explained to me that her and Sam had moved Rene's body (also known as Drew Marshall) to make it look like he had broken his neck as he fell. They called the police from there, which was why I was now being questioned. I managed to walk back to the house after Sookie insisted that we continue this inside.

"I see. Just one more question Miss Rosebud: how did so much of your blood end up on the floor. I can't see a wound anywhere." Oh shit! I had forgotten that I told them I was hit over the head in the hallway. My head had fully healed physically but I still had a pounding headache. This is where mortal medicine came in handy.

"As I mentioned before, Rene had hit me over the head when he first entered the house. I managed to drink some vampire blood after it happened to heal myself. My boyfriend had given me some of his blood in a vile for emergencies. It came in handy."

"You willingly drank V? You know that's against the law Miss Rosebud." "I am well aware of what the law says Sheriff Dearborne, I am still a lawyer. Like I said, it was given to me to use in emergencies and I think receiving a fatal blow to the head counts as an emergency. I'm thankful it didn't kill me instantly otherwise Sookie and myself would be dead. Now are you done with your questions? We've had a very traumatic day and I think we're entitled to some rest."

Sookie showed everyone to the door then limped back towards me. It looked like she had suffered a sprain ankle, a black eye, a few cracked ribs and probably a concussion. I contemplated giving her some of the epoúlosi herbs but chose not to. Apollo gave those to me for a reason and they were too valuable to be wasted on injuries that could be healed with Bill's blood.

"Your boyfriend gave you some for his blood for emergencies?" I looked over at Sookie and we both burst into laughter. She then quickly stopped and grabbed her side; definitely a few cracked ribs.

"Well it was that or tell them that I was immortal and healed on my own. Come to think about it, I should have just kept my mouth shut. I doubt they would have even noticed the blood." She nodded then handed me my beer while she drunk from her own. "How did you manage to stop the shovel hitting us? I've been thinking it over and I know that something stopped it before it touched us."

I held up my wrist showed Sookie one of my bands. "Your bracelet?" "It isn't just a normal bracelet. Centuries ago, Hephaestus created both the bangles out of titanium for his wife, Aphrodite. He made them to protect her from enemy attacks. All she needed to do was hold her hands up across her chest and they would create a kind of force field to protect her. He made them to resemble a feminine bracelet so she could wear them every day. However, she didn't feel like she needed them so she gave them to me. You've always thought that they were just bracelets which is what makes them such a valuable weapon."

"Next time you go to Olympus, can I come? I wouldn't mind killing someone to get such cool gifts." I laughed at Sookie then pulled her in for a cuddle. In this moment, all we needed was each other.

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There you have it! I hope you all enjoyed it :) I'm starting the rewrite of season 2 tomorrow so expect that in about a week or so. I will then do the same with season 3 and will then start releasing new chapters! Let me know if you like the whole season in one chapter. If you do, I can combine season 4 into one.

Please review, they really help and are the reason why I am continuing with this story and using my lock-down time to finish it. I want to finish it for you.