"Are you really sure I can take your car?" I asked Sookie as she handed me the keys.

"Of course," she answered smiling. "Are you sure you really wanna do it today?"

"Got no other choice," I replied, sighing. I already have a bunch of troubles, Eric being the most difficult one, but hey, there's always place for new ones. The Holy Order of Our Lord's True Love had somehow caught up to me and I had to hide my real tracks. "I'll just go and rent a few apartments in Bossier, spend a few days clubbing, you know, make my appearance there. The Order will just follow me to the Bossier City. And then I will deal with them."

"I don't like this," Sookie shook her head. "I don't like this at all. And what is this about secret sects wanting you dead?"

"Don't worry, this is not the first time I do this," I laughed. "The Holy Order of Our Lord's True Love is constantly after demons like me. Their motto is 'Love will save the world'. Something about true love having the power to save all the innocents and me, being a succubus, tainting the world with my sins. They believe me to be the Devil Incarnate."

"But you're not!" Sookie protested.

"Tell that to their crazy priests!" I chuckled. "Stop worrying, Sook. They can't do any real damage to me. I'm an ex-goddess, remember? I'll simply go and leave some fake traces of me in Bossier and at the same time, I'll be sure to take a snack, so no need to fret."

"Yeah," Sookie muttered. "But I'm more worried about Eric right now."

"Eric?" I played all innocent. "Eric who?"

"Eric your current boyfriend and one very pissed vampire when he doesn't find you at home like you should be," Sookie replied smugly. "Can't you wait a few more days?"

I shook my head, "I don't want to get you involved. Usually the Holy Order acts rather quietly, but who knows. This time they might get more serious. And, I am NOT dating Eric."

"Uhuh," Sookie rolled her eyes and I fumed.

"We have a purely sexual relationship. No strings attached."

"That's what you think," she glanced away ironically and I sighed.

"Whatever, just cover for me, please. I need to shake those guys off and get myself a decent meal before I go all wild on Eric's turf."

Sookie nodded understandingly and watched me head to her car. I felt a bit guilty about borrowing her vehicle, but she reassured me she could use Bill's and, frankly speaking, it was way faster than hitch-hiking. I started the engine, waved my hand to her and drove off, heading out of Bon Temps.

I was pretty much sure the Holy Order was watching me and would go after me as soon as I left the town. They were trying to catch me since the 12th century, when they first learned about the existence of our kind. But I've taught them a lesson once, so now they were being overly cautious. I bit my lip thoughtfully. Perhaps, this was a rather useful turn of events. I needed to get rid of them at least for now, and, truthfully speaking, the Holy Order was not the sole reason I wished to get to Bossier as fast as I could.

By now I was really really hungry. Too hungry to stay at Bon Temps even a day longer. And that wouldn't have done any good to me. Eric was the Sheriff of Shreveport and I feared he'd find out if I tried hooking up with someone in his territory. Angry vampire is never good news, but a hungry succubus was even worse. So, I needed a living and breathing man to feed upon and fast. I did not want to worry Sookie, so I did not tell her that my hunger has been growing rapidly these past few days. She knew I needed to feed, but she didn't know the extent of my thirst for life force.

Speaking of which, I haven't fed for more than a month and my senses were sharpening each minute. That was not good. Quite ironic though, isn't it? When I was satiated I was like any other human, but the hungrier I got, the more lustful and sensitive I felt. It was like every cell in my body was in an alert state; my sight and my hearing improved to the point that I could see the tiniest details and hear the faintest sounds. I felt stronger, faster and more powerful than ever before. And I did not like this state.

So far I could control it and hold my hunger in. I had to admit, the amazing sex I had with one particularly hot vampire was quite a huge help in dulling my thirst. Still, just a few more days could change everything. I did not want it to happen in Bon Temps. I liked it there. I liked the town and its people, I liked my job and Sam and most of all I liked Sookie. I haven't had a friend for a long time now and it felt immensely good to have her by my side. Life in Bon Temps could be perfect, and Eric was in the plans too. If only I could get away with a few feedings here and there, perhaps, I could finally have something called a relationship. Oh, I longed for it so much. I wanted to have dates, to have someone by my side, a permanent partner I could go wild with. And Eric, Eric was perfect for that. Though there were a few hitches and glitches and sooner or later I'd have to leave him if I wanted to keep my identity a secret, but for now… For now I wanted to be with him, only if for a short while. History will not repeat itself. What happened to me and Mircea, will not happen to me and Eric. I won't allow it.

I narrowed my eyes on the road decisively and sped up the driveway, noticing a black car trailing after me. It kept its distance from me, but a luxurious black car heading the same way like me this late into the night was more than suspicious. Well, it's always the black ones in the movies, isn't it?

"Where is she?" The blonde vampire asked slowly, his blue eyes glowing with rising anger.

Sookie gulped and flashed a smile at him. She always smiled when she felt nervous.

"I really don't know," she finally replied. "She just said she needed to take care of some matters, so I let her borrow my car. I thought she was going to Shreveport for some shopping or personal business."

Eric stood silent for a while, his eyes boring into hers. Then, he said in a low and threatening voice, "You should know better than to lie to me, Sookie."

She let out a short nervous laugh and added, "I'm sure she'll be back in just a few days, wherever she is."

"Or," Eric said softly, but Sookie could hear the simmering rage and irritation in his voice, "she fled from me once again."

Sookie remained silent, bent on not giving away her new best friend. She knew Lily wanted to take care of her own matters alone and there was no way she could tell Lily's secret to Eric.

"I'll ask you again and this time I hope you give me a proper answer," Eric said, his voice now cold and void of any emotions. "Where is Lily?"

Sookie kept quiet once again and Eric's eyes burned with anger.

"She's in Bossier," suddenly they heard Bill's voice. He stood by the doorway to Eric's office, his expression blank. "I overheard them talking about Bossier City. Lily said she needed to go wild and the clubs at Bossier would be perfect for it."

"BILL!" Sookie turned around, anger in her voice.

Eric smiled contently but his eyes glowed a cold blue, "I see. Bossier."

I pushed the doors of the local night club open and walked out into the street, a man in his mid thirties following me. I flashed a smile at him and he suddenly pushed me against the wall in the alley. He kissed my neck almost hungrily, his kisses short and somewhat rough. His hands trailed down and up my sides covered in a very light and almost see-through material. He huffed out a moan, his eyes boring into mine with hardly held back passion.

I grinned and my hands wrapped around his neck, my body pushing closely against his.

"Don't be so impatient, Spencer," I whispered out his name seductively. "We've got all night ahead of us."

He breathed in shakily and I could feel his mind running empty of thoughts, only the lust and the craving filling it completely. He didn't care why someone as sexy looking as me decided to accept the advances of a middle class businessman like him. Right now, the male's concentration was solely on me and I smirked happily. He may not look like Brad Pitt or anywhere close, but he was sure a lively man and for me, he was a perfect catch. His aura brimmed brightly and I licked my lips, breathing in his lovely scent. Oh, how sweet his life force is...

Meanwhile, Spencer's hand grabbed my left breast, pressing it tightly in an act of sheer passion, and his mouth trailed down to my chest. I merely bent my body, allowing him more access, my hands ruffling his dark auburn hair. How odd. I did not enjoy his advances. Eric's face came to my mind and I moaned at the memory of his amazingly blue eyes.

"Let's head to my place, babe," I whispered hoarsely, my hand stopping his before he could go anywhere further. I was not about to have sex with him. I only wanted to feed and for that, a hypnotic trick will do the job nicely, as always.

Yet, before my tasty suitor could even respond, his body was ripped away from mine forcefully and he flew across the alleyway and hit the brick wall with such a force I gasped in fear he might have shattered his scull.

I looked up at a tall figure in front of me and my heart skipped a beat at recognizing him. Eric. He turned to me and I gulped down any protest I had upon seeing his blue orbs. They were burning with rage and such strong anger I suddenly felt incredibly small and insignificant.

My body shivered and I immediately wanted to step back away from him, but I was already with my back against the wall.

"I have forgiven you for running away from me once," he said in a low husky voice. "But there won't be a second time."

I remained silent, still feeling overpowered by him. And I was.

Eric glanced me up and down and a smirk crossed his features. "So much for your country girl look."

He was right. The first thing I did in Bossier was change my looks. I puffed up my hair and lengthened it with hair extensions, making my hairdo look a bit ruffled and messy. I wore a rather thick evening make-up with lots of black color this time and my light and see-through dress barely hid my luscious body. The dress was of a screaming yellow colour and its top revealed quite a lot of my bra, which was black and very simple, with no laces or other kinds of decorations. I had painted my nails black and I had a wide black belt on.

Surely, I looked very sexy and very slutty this time and it was exactly what I had wanted. I needed to catch a man for myself and quickly. I did have a short snack yesterday right after I came down to Bossier, but I needed to feed more or I'd just lose it. So, I imposed all of my seduction techniques on the first suitable man I found.

But now… Eric was here. Eric.

"Do I have to chain you to the bed to keep you from getting away from me?" The vampire asked, his voice cold, yet, full of anger and spite.

I kept quiet. Eric's coming here was a complete shock to me and my brain seemed to have short-circuited. I glanced over to the human I had seduced. He was lying further away unconscious, but alive. Good. That's good. I did not wish for anyone to die because of me. I have enough of guilt to bear on my shoulders as it is. I shut my eyes momentarily, breathing out heavily.

"I did not want you to know of this," I whispered and felt a tingle run down my spine as I felt Eric's presence even closer to me.

I opened my eyes to stare up at his blue ones. Eric was standing so close to me that I could feel his body radiate cold. It felt so soothing…

"I thought you were happy," his hand gripped my arm just a bit over the elbow and I winced in pain. "Am I not enough to satisfy you?"

I gritted my teeth as I spit out, "You don't understand!"

"I don't see what's there not to understand," he replied coldly and started dragging me across the alley. "I've given you too much freedom, mortal."

I tried pulling and pushing at him, but he was like a sturdy rock, impossible to move, his metallic fingers on my arm digging into the flesh painfully. I don't think I tried hard enough. Perhaps, a part of me wanted to be dragged away with him, to be imprisoned in his passionate embrace. But another one, the proud and vengeful Succubus, stood her ground, reminding me of what I was. Of what I still am, despite all my attempts to act human-like.

"Let me go, you bastard! This is why I didn't tell you anything! All of you vampires are the same!" I shouted at him and to my surprise, he halted.

He stopped so suddenly that I lost my control and bumped into his back. Eric whirled me around, bringing me towards his chest, his eyes shooting glares at me. I could feel his rage soaring, his aura a heavy cloud of mixed feelings. But I was just too sad and too angry to even care.

"You are just a possessive control freak!" I screamed angrily. "You think I'm your slave or what? You wish!"

"This time," he said painfully slowly, as if trying to hold himself back. "I will see to it that you do not escape even if it means locking you up."

"Locking me up?!" I suddenly laughed. "You? Lock ME up? HA!"

I, who had commanded armies. I, who was worshipped by mortals and immortals alike. I, who had countries under her feet, locked up by a mere vampire?!

"I will never be yours," I hissed, my voice strained from all the anger and the sadness of another failed relationship. "I was a fool to think this relationship might work."

Eric just stared down at me and somehow I knew he was still bent on doing whatever he wanted, because he was used to getting it. Then let him. He pushed me forth and then dragged me out into the street and towards his car, a sparkling red Corvette, of course.

I did not care anymore. This time, I really thought I could do this. Maintain a relationship, however fragile it was, lead a sort of normal life, even have friends that I could talk to honestly. But I underestimated Eric. I did not think he'd find me here in Bossier. And now it was all over. Once again, over before it even began. Why did I even try?..

Time to skip the town, like I always did. Time to leave this place and forget everything and everyone I met here. I felt tears gather in my eyes. I will miss Bon Temps. Sam. Sookie. Bill. Even Eric. Most of all, Eric. I really thought something might come out of this queer relationship. But I was just deceiving myself, I guess. I bit back the tears and shook my head as Eric halted by the car.

I narrowed my eyes on him as he was turning around, his grip still firm on my arm. I will miss you, Eric. I know I will. But I can't stay with you. It's time for me to go.

A tear slipped my cheek, and when Eric turned around to face me, his eyes widened slightly at seeing me cry. I pressed my hand into a fist, preparing for a strike, and it was then that I noticed them. I saw them even before Eric did. Perhaps, he was too oblivious to his surroundings due to his anger and boiling emotions to actually take notice of someone so trivial. But I did. Suddenly, the mist cleared up from my senses and I wondered how I didn't see those thugs before. Perhaps, my judgment was clouded too.

Two of them stood in the alley further ahead and with horror I realized they were holding shotguns. Loaded shotguns. The other one stepped out from our right and he pointed his gun towards us, well, towards Eric, if to be more precise. Eric did not see him.

For a moment time seemed to stop as various possibilities flooded my mind. I could just let the man shoot Eric and half of my problems would just disappear. I was sure the bullet would hold him down until the guys with the shotguns arrived. That must have been their plan. I also knew Eric was not their target. I was.

The time moved again and the man pressed the trigger. Everything happened so quickly I was sure I was simply not thinking at the time. Instead of letting the bullet hit Eric, which would have given me quite a chance for an escape, I pushed him aside with all the force I could muster. I remember seeing his surprised face as he stumbled to the side and I could bet he thought I was trying to run away yet again.

But he soon realized what truly happened. The sound of the pistol, even though it was with a silencer attached, was rather sharp for vampire ears. Eric moved immediately towards the shooter and the human was a goner in less than a second.

"Left," I whispered and Eric moved that way so quickly, my eyes could not detect his movements. But I heard the screams and the sound of the shotgun being fired. I bet the Holy Order did not anticipate my suitor to be a vampire. That was so funny I just had to let out a short giggle. Ouch.

My mind blurred and I felt a burning sensation right below my left breast. I knew right away the bullet had hit me. Well, aren't that just great? Somehow, nothing is going according to the plan tonight.

Eric was beside me soon after. I saw his pale face and his blue eyes. His hand clasped the wound, trying to evaluate the damage to my body.

"What were you thinking of?!" He hissed angrily at me.

"I don't know," I replied truthfully. "I was just thinking how to escape from you and then - *bang bang* he shot me down…"

I ended with an altered line from one of my all-time favorite song by Nancy Sinatra and yet another chuckle that only brought more pain to me. Clearly, my brain was malfunctioning as always. Suddenly, I remembered all the times that I've been hurt before and I chuckled once again, which resulted in more blood gushing out of my wound and, yes, you guessed right, more pain.

"Well, I've been slashed and stabbed before, but never shot. Figured it might be an interesting experience," I whispered sounding quite sincere.

Eric just stared at me puzzled. Was I just putting up a strong front? Oh, yes. The biggest downside of being a succubus was that I had an almost normal human body. Sure I did not need to eat like humans did, which saved me a lot of money, but I could get hurt and the wounds did not heal very quickly. Unless, I was feeding at that time. Feeding always quickened the healing processes.

But I was not feeding now. There was no way I could be. So, it hurt. So, it did not heal fast. So, I was lying on the cold concrete with a bullet wound in my chest and a blurring consciousness.

"Stay with me," Eric whispered, but I just shook my head slightly, falling into deep and dark abyss. I was just too hungry to hold on. Just too hungry…