Now, as promised, another chapter today. You're all gonna love this one and guess why? It has Eric in it! ^^
I trotted from the kitchen to the dining room, carrying four white plates. I put them on the table and looked around if anything was missing. Nope. Everything's in order. Shortly, Sookie came in smiling, Bill following after her.
"The dinner will be ready in 10 minutes," she noted cheerfully.
I could see she was incredibly happy. I guessed living together with a vampire had its own downsides and Sookie took joy in every normal family-like moment they had.
"Are you sure you don't mind me here?" I asked. "If you two want to be alone, I can leave."
"No, no!" Sookie shook her head. "I myself invited you here tonight. You see, I don't get together often with friends. I'm not really that close to people, usually. Even if I am, I just can't relax completely."
"So I have noticed," I said, leaning on one of the dining room chairs. "I think you tend to avoid people sometimes."
"I do," Sookie nodded. "But you're different, Lily. I feel… comfortable around you."
I raised my brow in slight wonder, but said nothing. Sometimes Sookie struck me as a little odd, but that didn't obstruct our friendship. After all, I myself was quite an odd ball in this world. Truthfully, there weren't that many succubi around any more. Many of my kind were hunted down in the middle ages by religious fanatics and occults. Those were some dark times for us. I blinked a few times quickly, ushering the memories away. No point in wearing the willow about something that happened so deep in the past.
Meanwhile, Sookie walked out back to the kitchen and silence befell the room. I started feeling rather uncomfortable as Bill just stood by the end of the massive wooden table and watched me warily. I could tell he didn't trust me that much. I had no idea why though. But that was for certain. Every time we were alone he'd either stare at me with that cool and calculating stare or start questioning me. I had to make up a huge white lie about what I was doing in Louisiana just to get him off my back. And yet, every single time we met he'd ask those questions over and over again, as if he wanted to catch me lying. Was he suspicious of me? But why? I guessed it had something to do with Sookie, who became really close to me during the past few weeks. Especially, after I gave her some good natured advices on how to juice up things in bed between her and Bill. Of course, it worked perfectly. And how could it not? I read it all in Bill's head, after all. Whenever he saw Sookie, he'd start having some really wild fantasies. Like they say, still waters run deep.
Well, coming back to the socializing problem I had with Bill, it would work out rather perfectly, if only Bill was just a man or just a vampire. I'd have him charmed in no time and all the distrust would be gone. But he was Sookie's lover and I was a fair player. I never took those who already belonged to someone.
"So," Bill interrupted my train of thoughts. "Where exactly did you say you came from?"
Hmmm… The depths of Hell? Nah, not the wisest choice.
"South," I said out loud. "Texas."
"Texas?" Bill echoed, staring at me intently.
That was half true for I did live a few months in Texas before coming to Louisiana.
"For a vampire, your memory is rather lousy," I noted somewhat irritated. "How many times have you already asked me of this?"
He shrugged. "Sorry."
"I doubt you are," I muttered.
Silence one again.
"I'll go see why Sookie's taking so long," Bill rose up and strode away to the kitchen.
I sighed. What a relief. We weren't getting on so well. Not when there were only the two of us. Sometimes I got these really jealous vibes from him. As if I was somehow taking over his place by Sookie. It baffled me. What a weird couple they were.
I shook my head and was about to sit down, when I heard a knock on the door. Ah, that must be Sookie's brother, most probably. He was to join us tonight, but he said he might run late. I kind of liked him, though. There was nothing but lewd thoughts in his head and he was quite a cutie himself.
I walked to the doors, shouting out loud for Sookie and Bill to hear, "I'll get it!"
I reached the doors in a minute and yanked them open, a welcoming smile plastered on my face.
"Hel-" My smile faded away as soon as my eyes landed upon a tall and incredibly handsome blond man standing on the porch. His blue eyes stared at me almost mockingly and his lips carved into a smirk, showing just the tips of his fangs.
"A pleasure to see you again, Lily," he said, eyeing me up and down, his eyes finally halting at the level of my head, staring at my now brown hair almost curiously.
No way… ERIC?!
Unconsciously, my hands just moved on my own and I slammed the doors shut right in front of his nose… Déjà vu much?
"Oh, shit," I whispered as my mind went blank for a while. How in the world did he find me? I definitely left no trail behind me. Or did I?..
A knock on the door resounded across the room again and I gritted my teeth, opening it again.
For a moment, we just stared at each other. Me, angrily. Him, mockingly.
"Did you know that stalking is considered a crime in some states, including Louisiana?" I asked, a polite smile suddenly playing on my lips. If he wants a return match, that's totally fine with me.
"I do now," he replied with the very same smirk, playing at the corners on his lips.
"Good for you," I muttered smugly.
"Won't you invite me in?" He asked suddenly, clearly amused by the current events.
"I would, gladly even, but so sorry… this is not my house," I made an almost sad expression. "I have no right to invite strangers inside."
"Oh, but we're not strangers, are we?" He asked his voice husky and coated in silk.
"Lily, who is it?" Sookie obviously came out of the kitchen, but I stood with my back to her and so I didn't see her eyes widen upon seeing Eric.
"No one," I said sharply as I slammed the doors in Eric's face yet once again, hoping she did not see him. Eric was my problem and my problem only. First, I'll send Sookie back to the kitchen and then I'll think of something. Hm, what would be the best way to deal with an unwanted vampire? I wonder if Sookie has a stake somewhere around here…
"Wrong address," meanwhile, I turned and beamed a smile at my friend.
Yet, to my surprise I saw Sookie intake a huge breath of air as she almost half-ran to me, "You did NOT just slam the doors in front of Eric, did you?"
She knows his name?.. And then, Bill appeared in the hallway as well, his eyes looking around questioningly, "I thought I heard Eric's voice?"
Wow, Bill knows his name too... I gaped at him shocked, "You know Eric?"
Suddenly, the doors of the house opened up by themselves and Eric stepped into the room, grinning amusedly.
"I guess I'll just let myself in," he said, staring at me. "Seeing as Lily here is so unwilling to."
Sookie stopped in her tracks as she watched surprised how we glared at each other and sparks flew between us.
"And there I thought vampires can't come in uninvited," I snapped.
"Oh, I was invited," Eric reassured me and added in a silky tone. "By Sookie."
"Then perhaps she should RESCIND that invitation," I grumbled and glanced at Sookie, "You know him?"
"He's… um, Bill's boss," she replied, staring at me surprised.
"Small world, huh," I muttered, noting to myself to go at least to another country the next time I run from a vampire.
"How do you know him?" Sookie asked, clearly baffled.
"We had a very thrilling run-in," Eric noted, stepping closer to me and eyeing me up and down curiously once again. Surely with plain clothes on and a new hair color I looked nothing like the seductress he'd met before. "Sadly, it was cut short right at the most… pleasant part."
I merely scoffed at him, once again averting my eyes to Sookie. "Remember I told you about one overly arrogant bloodsucking piece of dead meat with no respect to women whatsoever?" I motioned to Eric with my thumb, "Well, that's him."
Sookie just gaped at me and then at Eric, her expression being a funny looking mix of disbelief and respectful fear.
Bill just stood shocked as he was and I saw his eyes trail away to where Eric stood in an attempt to guess his current mood. I for once could feel Eric brimming with slight self-satisfaction and zest. Good thing he wasn't angry, considering I slammed the door into his face three times already. He sure was a patient man. Any other vampire would be already at my throat.
Well, if he really came here merely because he wanted to get back at me, then there is no way in Hell I'll ever back down.
Meanwhile, a sharp and alien ringtone disturbed our silence and I turned to Sookie, "Your phone."
She nodded, obviously hesitating to leave, but the phone kept on ringing, none of us moved, and Sookie finally retreated to the living room to pick up the handset.
All the while Eric kept staring at me and I thought he'll soon drill holes in me if he doesn't stop. So I turned to him and asked in a rather angry and sharp tone, "What?"
He smiled, "You look… so different tonight."
I raised my brow. Is this STILL about my looks? Gee, who would've thought…
"Would you believe me if I told you it was actually not me, but my evil twin personality that night back in Fangtasia and that I have no ties to it or whatever it did whatsoever?" I suddenly asked, staring right into his blue eyes.
He chuckled and his orbs grew an even darker and deeper blue as he wondered, "Was it?"
"No," I answered after a brief pause and he grinned.
Silence fell upon us and while I and Eric were busy fighting in a staring contest, Sookie came back to us.
"Jason ran into some trouble. He's not coming tonight," she said, giving me and Eric weird side glances.
As Eric kept silent, I smirked, "Oh, my, I guess he'll miss his opportunity to meet Eric the vampire. How very lucky of him."
Eric glared at me and then grinned. I could see he was planning something.
"I suppose there's one more free space by the dinner table then, Sookie," he turned to her. "Would you mind if I joined?"
Silence fell once again. Somehow tonight we've been having lots of silent pauses…
"Yes, she would," I hissed instead of Sookie, my eyes trailing to her. Hers, however, trailed away to Bill, who nodded mildly. I scowled.
"I'd be glad if you joined us," Sookie beamed, but I could tell it was her nervous smile. Anxiety and uneasiness was radiating off of her like never before.
Eric smiled contently as he thanked her and went on to the dining room. Bill gave Sookie what I'd call a warning glance and went after Eric. Sookie sighed and looked up at me, motioning for me to go with her. We both retreated to the kitchen and Sookie bent down to take out the roast from the oven.
She kept quiet about what had just happened, but I knew she was eager to know what was going on between me and Eric. I wish I could say there was nothing between us, but there surely was something. I leaned back to the cupboards and let out a soft sigh.
"I'm sorry, Sookie," I whispered. "I think I might have brought you trouble and ruined our chance at a normal dinner."
She put the roast on the table and turned to me, her eyes worried, "No one talks like that to Eric, Lily."
"I do," I scoffed.
"He could kill you in a second if he wished," Sookie whispered trying to warn me. I highly doubted that. No matter how old or strong he was, I wasn't that easy to kill. Anyways, that wasn't really important.
I glanced up at her, "It's not about me, Sookie. It's you I'm worried about."
"Me?" Sookie looked at me baffled. "Well, I'm not the one who called him a piece of dead meat! I'm sure I'll be fine, after all, I'm still useful to him."
"Useful?" I narrowed my eyes on her. "What do you mean by that, Sookie?"
She bit her lip, keeping silent and clearly regretting having said that. I could have charmed her and made her tell me, but I didn't do that to friends. And I liked Sookie as a friend. It's been some time since I felt close to someone. It was a nice feeling for a change.
I ran my hand through my hair and shook my head slightly, "One vampire is fun, but two of them are nothing but troubles coming your way."
Sookie looked up at me and giggled. "Is that experience talking now?"
I shrugged and smirked, "Oh, I can still deal with two vampires, perhaps even three, but any more than that and I'll make a run for it."
Now she laughed almost wholeheartedly and I smiled, "Vampires are troublesome to date – they are too possessive and too hungry for your blood."
Sookie giggled once again and then I saw curiosity in her eyes, "Have you dated a vampire before?"
My eyes trailed away as memories flooded my mind.
"I don't date," I said sharply. I noticed Sookie look baffled and then added almost softly, "But I did spend three of the most unforgettable nights in my life with him."
"With whom, may I ask?" A cold and almost menacing voice sounded to the right of me and I glared Eric's way.
"See? What did I tell you about possessiveness?" I looked away smirking and then added sternly, "And no, you may not ask of this."
Sookie glanced at Eric and then at me nervously. Before Eric could even say something more, she grabbed the roast and beamed a smile, "Dinner is ready."
Eric stepped aside to let her pass, but Sookie motioned for me to go first and so I slipped away, gritting my teeth. I didn't know why but even the mere fact that Eric existed made me boil in anger. And that wasn't good. An enraged succubus is never good news, almost as bad as a hungry one.
I walked to the dining room and halted unsure as to where I should sit. Frankly, this was the first time in the last few hundred years that I was invited to someone's house for dinner. Well, not counting the ones of the men that I later fed upon…
Sookie put the roast on the table and I just plopped down on the nearest chair to me. As if having felt my uneasiness Sookie sat down beside me and the vampires ended up sitting across the table in front of us. Somehow it all looked rather funny. The roast was lying in the middle, and we all knew it was meant only for me and Sookie. The vampires had their own meal in front them and I eyed the dark bottles somewhat warily. I wondered if the Japanese could invent something like that for succubi. I doubted that. Coming back to reality, I glanced over our table once again, and I just couldn't fight it any more – a suppressed giggle rose up my chest and escaped my mouth.
Three pairs of eyes dug into me and Eric was the one who asked, "What's so funny?"
I giggled once more and replied with a smile, "Aren't the arrangements somewhat whacky? Males on the left, females on the right. Vampires and…" I wavered at the word 'humans' for it didn't really fit my description, "Non-vampires."
Sookie barely held out a chuckle as she nodded grinning, "When you put it that way…"
Bill kept his emotionless face, though I noticed the corners of his mouth twitch and Eric gave me a full-stretched smile. I wasn't sure if I liked it when he smiled. He seemed dangerous. I preferred when he kept his mouth shut. Or even better, when he wasn't anywhere near.
We finally started eating in silence and the vampires opened their blood bottles, each taking a sip. Then, suddenly…
"So, who is it? Do I know him?" Eric asked, watching me from his end of the table.
I just glanced up at him from my plate, which looked oh so inviting, and feigned pure innocence, "Who?"
"You know who," he narrowed his eyes on me.
Bill glanced at us questioningly and I noticed Sookie stir beside me.
"If I knew who you were talking about, I wouldn't ask, now would I?" I stared right back at him and he kept quiet for a while.
For a minute or two we just stared at each other, doing the silent battle, and finally he grumbled and said slowly, "I am talking about that unforgettable lover of yours."
Sookie shifted uncomfortably while I merely shrugged. "I doubt you know him, unless, of course, you know all the vampires in the entire world," I made a short pause and then asked curiously, "Do you?"
He was silent, so I guessed he didn't. And, he was angry. I could feel that. Bill was confused and Sookie… well, she felt half curious, half scared and also a bit satisfied. I figured not many talked back to Eric.
"You dating him?" Eric inquired in a low cold voice and I cocked my brow.
"I don't date," I said sharply for the second time this evening.
"So, you were never… dating him?" He mused and I fumed.
Did all vampires ask stupid questions again and again?
"I don't like repeating myself, but seeing as your brains are dead cold – I DO NOT DATE," I almost hissed out the last words. I felt Bill and Sookie tense up and Eric's eyes gleamed with anger. I bet his pride was hurt.
"Of course, you just sleep with them," he noted venomously.
"No," I replied nonchalantly. "I can assure you we do so many things, BUT sleep."
For a minute I thought he'd jump on me, such intense was the rage radiating off of him. Yet, he controlled himself and I heard Sookie sigh with relief. Yet, she remained quiet, obviously not sure as to how she should intervene into our conversation.
I stabbed a piece of meat with my fork and put it into my mouth calmly, savoring the taste. Ah… one of the pleasures of the mortal world.
"Was he your so called… first love?" Eric mocked and as his words reached my mind I simply choked at the piece of the divine roast I was trying to gulp down at that time.
I coughed heavily and Sookie jumped up worried, banging me lightly at my back. I glanced up at Eric, who looked overly amused.
"How in the name of Satan did you come up to this conclusion?!" I screamed at him, my throat hurting. I even forgot my situation and used curses usually alien to the human world.
Eric stared at me, a grin on his lips, "I merely assumed so. Was I right?"
"Like Hell you were!" I exclaimed, plopping down on my chair again.
"Lily, calm down," Sookie whispered, sitting back and handing me my glass of the most delicious sparkling wine I've ever tasted.
I sneered at Eric, "You really think I'd even remember my first guy?"
He cocked his brow in slight wonder, "I thought women always remembered their lovers? Or have you had too many of them already in your short human life?"
"Eric!" Sookie glared at him reproachfully.
Bill stirred breathing out, "Sookie," as if he was trying to warn her to keep out of this. Perhaps, Eric had told him to keep shut while I and Sookie were in the kitchen.
I for once glared back at Eric and then grinned mockingly, "And pray tell me, do YOU remember everyone you've had sex with and then sucked blood from?"
His eyes widened slightly in surprise and then he chuckled, "Of course not, why would I?"
"There you have it," I smirked and leaned back on my chair.
I noticed Sookie breathe in shakily and hold her breath for a while. She was on the verge. Clearly the evening turned out all but what she expected.
"There's no comparison between the two things. You've never had sex with a guy and then suck his blood out," Eric stated matter-off-factly and I scoffed at this.
"And how the Hell do you know this?"
And then, all their eyes landed on me again. Whoops. Said too much, didn't I?
"You mean to say," Eric said slowly, his blue orbs wide with surprise. "You drink the blood of your lovers? Is this a normal act between humans or am I missing something?"
I remained silent, considering my options of getting out of this predicament. Well, truthfully, dear Eric, I did not drink their blood, I merely sucked out their life force. Meh. As if I could say that. There's no telling what they'd do if the existence of our kind came out in the open.
"I'm starting to think I'd surely love to check out what's going on in that intriguing bedroom of yours," Eric smirked.
I boiled with anger and embarrassment that I had let myself slip so much. I forgot I was pretending to be just a human. Yet, I merely smiled at him as I answered calmly, "Well, I can tell you only one thing – there is no way in Hell you will ever find that out, cause if I ever have sex with you, then the end of the world is nigh."
This must have been the biggest insult he had ever received for the gorgeous blond vampire jumped up so quickly my eyes barely saw him move. Only the chair rattled to the ground. His eyes burned into me with hurt pride, rage and hunger and I started thinking if I went too far. Perhaps, I did.
"This is not over yet," finally, Eric said in a low, husky voice and then he just disappeared.
I did not see or hear him move. He was gone in a blink of an eye. Bill remained seated, but he stared at me as if I had suddenly grown two more arms or a tail.
Sookie, however, reacted a lot more ardently. She jumped up from her chair and hissed at me, "Just what is wrong with you?! Do you want to sleep with the fishes or what?"
I grinned mischievously at her, "Sure, if it's not the piranhas. They bite."
Sookie just stared at me for a long while and I stared back, both of us trying to convey our thoughts with mere glances. And, I think, we actually managed to come to a silent agreement.
She plopped down on her chair sighing and took a bit of her roast. "Next time you wanna get killed, please, do it in your own house. The bodies are hard to get rid off."
I chuckled and nodded, returning to my own plate. Bill merely took a sip of the artificial blood and his mood seemed to have brightened up. I could feel his aura turn to a shade of pink and I knew Sookie was gonna have one wild night…