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Stay Tempted!

"You get back here young lady!"

I cringed, pulling the phone away from my ear as Barbs screamed down the line. I watched the mirror, noticing the cab driver glancing back at me, pity and humour dancing in his eyes. I sighed and resisted the urge to hang up the phone.

"I'm alright, Barbs."

"Oh, she's alright, she says," Barbs mocked before yelling, "You were jumped and beaten to a pulp! I get a call from the hospital to come quickly. How you've suffered multiple injuries. I rush here only to find you've discharged yourself from hospital?" Her voice reached a new high by the end of her rant.

I couldn't tell her the truth. If I had told her about the King of Mississippi, about the werewolves, about Eric, she'd never let me out of her sight again! Against medical advice, I left that hospital with determination. It was a godsend that Alcide had already left, otherwise I was certain he would have dragged me back kicking and screaming, regardless of my injuries.

"I mean what kind of scum hurts a young woman, unprovoked?"

"Barbs-"

"Come back here so you can be looked after properly."

I mumbled into the phone, "Barbs, I'm not coming back to the hospital." She threw a string of words back at me and I could barely make sense of any of them. I tried to speak over her, blushing as I saw the driver glance at me. Even he could hear her poor choice of words at the volume she was yelling. "Barbs…Barbs! Please stop worrying, I'm OK."

Truth be told, I wasn't ok. Although I was rested, sleeping for hours and hours, my jaw had swollen considerably. I was black and blue, quite the sight to behold. Even the cab driver had looked concerned as he drove me away from the hospital, rather than towards one. My body ached and my jaw cringed with every word I spoke. But I needed to heal. I needed to find him.

Not to mention, I needed answers.

"So help me, Melody, you do as you're told!" I had never heard Barbs so angry before. "I promised your daddy I'd take care of you if anything should happen to him. What would your mother think of your recklessness?"

I grit my teeth. "My mum's gone, Auntie Barbs."

"So don't be next!" A moment of silence resonated regret. "Melody-"

"I'm not a child, Barbs. I can take care of myself."

"Sweetheart-"

"I'll see you when I get home." I hung up the phone and threw it on the seat beside me, ignoring the judgemental stare from the driver. I quickly brushed away the tears that spilt on my purple cheeks.

I was rested, having spent an entire day asleep at the hospital and been given enough painkillers to knock out a horse. The night before, Sookie and I spent the hours comforting one another, waiting for the tears to dry. I held her as she told me about Bill attacking her. She defended him. For which I understood; Bill was starving and unconscious but he was supposed to protect her. At my accusing tone, Sookie had gotten a little defensive.

"And what about Eric?" she had asked, looking pointedly at my face. "He's supposed to protect you too, isn't he? Look at you Mel. You look like you've gone ten rounds against Rocky. He left you in the hands of Russell Edgington."

I rested my sore, weary head on her pillow. "I know he did, Sook. But you didn't see him before. He was worried for me. He didn't want to do that, he didn't want to leave me there." I thought back to the brief moment in captivity. The anger in Eric's eyes for discovering my involvement in Sookie's plan to find Bill, the worry that vibrated off of his body as I begged him not to take me to Russell, and his promise. "He swore he wouldn't leave me behind."

"But he did." Her voice softened as her eyes trailed over my body. "You're stronger than this, Mel. I don't wanna see you get hurt again." She eyed me sympathetically. "Don't go back to him."

My eyes flickered up to her, my jaw set in defence. "And what about Bill?"

The sound of his name only brought more tears to my friend's eyes. Regretful, I shuffled up the bed and brought my arm round her shoulders as she silently let those tears fall. "I don't want to see you get hurt either, Sookie. Maybe you did the right thing."

She choked on the ball of emotion caught in her throat. "I already miss him."

"I know," I whispered, allowing her to cling to me as her voice croaked with heart wrenching sobs, her tears dampening my hospital gown. I couldn't help the harsh, derisive laugh that left my lips. "And after all he's done to me, as crazy as it is, I miss Eric too." Sookie looked up at me, her eyelashes drenched.

"I don't know what Eric is up to, Mel. But," she physically cringed as she regarded my black and blue face, "look at what's happened to you. I know how you feel for him, like I do for Bill, but if Eric wants something, like you said," she squeezed my hand, "I don't think he'll stop at anything to get it. Even if it means next time, you won't get to walk away."

I knew Sookie was right; I wasn't a complete airhead, and I wasn't a masochist either. But frankly, I'd agreed to help look for Bill, knowing I could get hurt. I let myself feel for the arrogant Viking, again, knowing he'd hurt me in more ways than I could imagine. But with what I felt for him, I couldn't just walk away, at least not without knowing what I'd gotten involved in and what I'd be giving him up for.

I gave her a half smile. "I need answers, Sookie."

"Just don't say I didn't warn you."

I didn't need any more warnings. Every friend that I had - which there weren't many of – had declared what a bad idea this was, insisting on me staying away from Eric, but everything inside my body was pulling me towards him. My head wanted answers. What was Eric doing beside Russell Edgington, acting like his little whipped dog, serving his every whim? What was worth risking everything he had to get close to the ancient vampire? And what did he want with Sookie?

"Sook," I murmured, unsure of how to broach the subject, "when Eric brought me to Russell, he wanted to know about you. About what you are."

"What did you say?" She frowned. "That I'm a telepath?"

"A waitress," I scoffed, earning a smile from my friend before it soured. "I don't think this is over for you, Sook. For either of us. He'll come after you. We need to find a way to be safe. Maybe Eric's my best chance for that, to be safe." I gingerly touched my swollen cheek. "Man, that asshole really knows how to backhand a woman."

"Melody," she sighed, her voice cracking at the use of my full name, "it's my fault you've been hurt. He wanted to know what I am-"

"You're my friend," I interrupted her, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. I reaffirmed, "We're friends, that's what we do. Protect each other. Besides, what is there to hide? You don't even know what your talents mean."

She grumbled, "They're more trouble than they're worth. I'll never know what I am."

I cuddled up beside her on her hospital bed, thinking only to myself 'never say never' before we took comfort in each other's silence and got some more rest.

It wasn't the only time Sookie tried to keep me away from Eric. I checked in on her before I checked myself out. She was desperate to get me to stay with her. It wasn't easy leaving. Guilt settled in my stomach at the thought of her getting hurt again. I took her hand and made a promise to come back to Bon Temps as soon as I'd spoken to Eric. We'd look out for one another. But until then, I made her promise to stay in hospital until Alcide and Tara took her home. They would protect her, I was sure of that.

Tara was in the waiting room, catching me as I passed by. The determined, feisty woman I had first met was splintering, visibly shaken after what we had all faced.

"Jesus, you look worse than I feel," she said before muttering, "if that's possible."

"I'm well aware," I answered, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. I looked up at her and asked cautiously, "How are you doing?"

I saw her swallow and her breath shook before she spoke. "Surviving. Feel like I'm gone have to remind myself of that for a while after all this shit."

I gave a soft nod. "I get that." I looked back towards the corridor where I'd left Sookie behind. "Look after her while I'm gone?"

"Always do." She frowned at me. "Where you going, anyhow, looking like you've been run over by a truck?"

I felt my guards come up against the stubborn woman and just muttered, "You don't wanna know."

She caught my meaning and snorted, her judgemental eyes regarding my bruised and burnt body. "You wanna be stupid, go be stupid. I can't stop you." Tara's voice softened when she saw my face cringe after clenching my jaw, sending a jolt of pain through my bones. "Hell. Don't get yourself killed."

I brought my hand up and crossed my fingers, before practically limping from the safety of the hospital.

The cab driver continued to watch me carefully from his seat all the way to Shreveport, worried that I'd collapse in the back of his car and he would have to drive me all the way back to the hospital without getting paid. I cleared my skin of the tears before pocketing my phone. A part of me tugged at calling Auntie Barbs back, clearing the air or even telling her the truth. But I didn't need another lecture and I didn't want her to worry. What could I say, I'm as stubborn as my mother.

The day had peaked and the sun was about to set, yet I was still sweating like a pig, stuck in the only clothes I had; still covered in blood and scorched from where Russell had dragged that burning poker across my light coloured skin. I cringed at the sight of the ugly scars on my arm and my stomach, the skin still red and puckered. If all I got from Eric on this visit was unanswered explanations and a blood fix to heal, it'd be worth it.

Fangtasia's usually bright, neon light came into view, dull and indicating they were closed. I handed the cab driver the only cash I had tucked in my pocket, and he regarded me with pity.

"Sweetheart, you sure there ain't another place I can take you?"

I got out of the car and spoke through his open window. "I'll be fine here."

He shrugged and turned his wheel. "Your funeral, kid."

I held in the need to stick my fingers up before turning, regarding Fangtasia with apprehension. "Well, no turning back now." I pushed open the door with slight surprise that Eric Northman would leave his establishment unlocked. It was inside that I saw it was occupied.

The human that Eric and Pam had working for them was vacuuming, the thrum drowning out my polite 'excuse me'. I walked up to the woman who was practically waltzing with the vacuum, reaching out to tap her on the shoulder.

"Hello?"

The touch of my skin briefly on hers had the middle-aged woman screaming at the top of her lungs in fright. I covered my ears until the screams eventually stopped, lasting longer than was necessary and she turned off the vacuum.

"Oh honey, you gave me a fright!"

"Sorry," I grumbled. "Ginger, right?"

She smiled a smile as sweet as sugar. "You're so cute, you remembered me!"

I deadpanned, "Yeah, from the time you held my friend hostage."

She gave a wavering 'uh-huh' and starting unplugging the vacuum, keeping her distance from me but I followed her steps towards the bar.

"Is Eric back?"

She frowned and shrugged. "Ain't seen him in some time. Pam's running the place. You need a word? She ain't up yet."

I took a seat by the bar. "I can wait." I realised mixing painkillers and alcohol wasn't the wisest decision to make, but at the thought of idle chatter with the most flirtatious, murderous lesbian I'd come across yet, I needed some courage. "I'll take a JD and coke, please."

Ginger made the drink and opened her hand up for cash. I saluted her with my glass.

"It's on the boss." It took me very little time to swallow the contents and pushed the glass forward, silently requesting another. Ginger was caught between obliging and hoping Eric wouldn't punish her for handing over free drinks, when the door soon swung open.

Eric didn't know whether to feel cold or glad when he felt nothing of Melody inside the mansion when he returned with the Queen of Louisiana. His anger boiled as he passed the study and found Russell's staff were cleaning up a red stain on his carpet, the smell of her blood drifting into his nostrils, sending his thirst for revenge wild. But at least she was out of harm's way for now, out of the king's clutches. He could not risk her being here for what he was about to do next.

With Melody's and Sookie's escape came Russell's eagerness to retrieve the blonde. The king's faith in Eric blindly permitted Eric to keep Talbot company, alone. It wasn't hard. Russell had barely set foot outside of the mansion with his pack of wolves before Talbot demanded Eric's shirt off.

The Viking was centuries old and wasn't unfamiliar with giving pleasure to men, let alone other vampires. In the back of his mind, as the words filtered from his mouth, elegantly and enticing, he wished he were speaking them to the little red head from England. Seeing her naked on the floor, ready and eager for him. His.

In the corner of Eric's eye, he glanced at his crown, propped up inside a display amongst the contents gathered from murderous acts spanning three thousand years. He'd waited long enough. He'd bent the knee for far too long and now it was his moment for revenge.

Russell's lover was on his back as Eric nipped at his skin, dragging his fingers to grab at Talbot's thighs. Talbot was delirious, enjoying every lick and touch from the blonde, surrendering when Eric ordered him to turn over. His sight was a haze, anticipating the next touch would make him moan in pleasure. It only made him scream with the greatest pain he would ever feel in his long life.

"Russell took my family," Eric sneered, poising the sharpened end of a scroll about the vampire, "now I take his."

It was over in moments, the remains of Talbot splattered over his naked body. Eric savoured the taste of vengeance, baring his fangs at what was once Russell's love, now only a pool of blood. He eyed the spot where Melody's broken body lay and felt no remorse, only urgency to return home. He snatched his clothes, punched a hole through Russell's beloved collection to take his birthright, and ran.

I swallowed in apprehension, waiting for Eric to storm through the door, shouting about how reckless I had been. My anxiety eased a smidge at the sight of Pam walking into the room, arching her perfect eyebrow as she noticed me sitting by the bar. The noise of her stilettos filled the room as she approached.

"Why are you here hanging around here like a bad smell?" She smirked, her eyes roaming over my bruised body. "My my, you do like it rough!"

I rolled my eyes and held out my glass in a silent question to Ginger, never letting Pam out of my sight. "Nice to see you too, Pam."

She perched her arm on the bar, dipping her hip. "Thought we'd seen the last of you. How did the wolf hunt go?"

"Well-"

"I was being polite. I don't care."

I rolled my eyes at the vampire, the refilled glass Ginger passed me giving me newfound confidence. It didn't stop me from flinching slightly as Pam leaned in closer.

"If you're looking for Eric, he's not here. So you can feel free to leave right about now."

"I know," I glared, anger seeping into my voice, "he's too busy being Russell Edgington's bitch to run a business." I went to take another gulp of my drink, fully intending to have another when Pam snatched my arm that held the glass, ripping me from the stool. Her fingers dug closely into my healing flesh and the motion tugged a hiss from my lips.

"Fuck!"

I looked up into her eyes, ready to dare ask what the hell she was playing at, until I cowered under her furious gaze. She bared her perfect teeth but did not reveal her fangs, thankfully.

"Office," she ordered. "Now."

Pam practically dragged me across Fangtasia's dance floor and into their office, slamming the door behind her. She finally let go of my arm, leaving a burning sensation behind. I blew on the red, puckered skin, trying to soothe it, my eyes darting up towards Pam.

She hovered over me with her hands on her hips. "Firstly, I should rip your skin clean off.

Say another word like that about my maker, sugar, I will not lose a wink of sleep scooping your eyeballs from your skull. Second," she took a second to gather herself, her quiet rage moving onto confusion, "what the fuck do you mean he's with Russell Edgington?"

My eyes remained wide and my breath caught as I digested Pam's threat. She grew tired waiting for me and slapped my arm somewhat gently for a vampire to jolt me back into the present.

"I don't know!" I protested, holding my arm away from any further ruthless attacks. "Sookie and I were taken by that asshole. He's had Bill all this time and the next thing I know, Eric's there serving Russell's every whim. He even..." I swallowed. "He even let the king do, well, this..."

It was if Pam was only now noticing the extent of my less than healthy appearance. I must have looked a state. With the many pills I popped, the pain was dull but I could feel the tightness of my skin as my face had swollen to the size of a balloon, purple and blue. She arched her eyebrow at the state of my clothes, torn and burnt, barely concealing the burns to my body. She let out a sigh and the look in her eye could almost be mistaken as pity.

She turned to a cardboard box behind her waiting on a shelf and pulled out a black top with the Fangtasia logo on. Holding it out to me with the very tips of her fingers, she said, "Here."

Thankful, I gave her a weak smile and took the piece of clothing. I wandered over to the corner of the office and went to remove my top before glaring at Pam.

"Um, some privacy?"

She smiled smugly. "Don't mind me, dear."

I groaned but gave up any hope and struggled to lift my top over my head. I kept the tattered item in my hands, eyeing it up as bile climbed my throat. The memories of Russell towering over me were still so vivid, the poker scarring my skin with his laughter bubbling away. His boot crashing down against my jaw. I clenched the shabby material in my fingers and grit my teeth, pushing back the tears that threatened to surface. I threw the offending item to the floor, breathing heavily, with no rush to cover my body from Pam's eyes. No doubt she was looking at the large burn that ran along my stomach, but I didn't care. I wanted to get the bastard back for what he'd done.

The office door was blown open, crashing against the shelves as Eric stormed into the room. I jumped at the sound and clutched the Fangtasia top to my body, watching the vampire head straight past Pam towards his desk.

"We need sanctuary," he declared in a hurried, strict tone, oblivious to the room.

Pam was quick to scuffle after him, her eyes widening at the sight of her maker.

My stomach churned seeing that Eric was covered in blood, his clothes clean but his chest showing through his unbuttoned shirt. His porcelain skin was speckled with red and his eyes stirred with unease. His knuckles were red, gripping something in his hand so tightly I thought it would snap in two. When he placed it on the table, I realised it was a golden crown.

I cowered in the corner, yet to be noticed. His progeny's attention was now fixated on Eric.

"Holy fuck, what have you done?"

Eric could barely see her through the red haze that danced in front of his eyes. "I staked the lover of Russell Edgington."

Pam's stomach dropped to the floor and she yelled at her maker, but his eyes caught the cautious movement of the little human in the corner and his gaze drifted from his child to me, shrinking further into the corner in my desperate attempt to hide from his rage. His fury fizzled out, only now feeling my presence in the room. The sound of my name left his lips like it was formed from his very breath. I fully expected venomous insults of my own stupidity, demands of how I'd managed to escape alive, but they never came. Pam did well to jump out of his way when the Viking strode over in my direction and his hands were on me, clutching my cheeks like I was the only thing holding him to this world. His touch was delicate, I wasn't even sure I could feel him there.

I watched in silence, his eyes moving slowly from mine, trailing down to my arm, my stomach. The rage in his eyes boiled over at the sight of my naked stomach where the ugly burn lay like a belt, the skin creased and deformed. His fingertips floated from my face to my stomach, moving against my skin to check that my scars were no illusion. Those inviting lips of his pulled back over his teeth, unable to contain his disdain for Russell. His entire body grew rigid and tense; he was a predator ready to shred into the nearest meat.

I took his hand. It brought his eyes back to mine and soothed his growing anguish. If any doubts of his affection for me lay inside my mind, this was the only proof I needed. I held his large hand in both of mine and rested them against my chest, letting him feel the rhythm of my still beating heart to calm him.

He pulled his lips back and punctuated his promise to me. "I will kill him."

It was not in me to deny him, or to let my morality get in his way. The corner of my lips tugged effortlessly upwards, feeling his need to protect radiate from him. He moved his hand up, his thumb tracing my faint smile as if to reassure himself that I was there with him. There was so much that he wanted to say, dancing on his tongue, the knots of emotion clear in his eyes. But we had no time.

"He's coming for us?" The fear in my voice was evident.

Eric did not lie; I knew how old the king was and that if it came to a fight between Eric and Russell, we would all die in moments.

He clutched my face in his hand. "We need to find somewhere safe. Now."

Pam's voice rose behind him. "You never panic. Should I be panicking?"

Eric's head pricked up and he turned swiftly, hiding my body behind his as another person entered his office, his shoulders relaxing once he saw she was human.

"Ginger, dear, where do you live?"

She gave him a sceptical look. "Across the river in Bossier, why?"

"We need your house," Pam ordered the human.

"Is this because of the V-Feds?" Ginger's answer had the vampire's stiffen. Pam's eyes moved to her maker's.

It was clear that this was an unexpected and highly inconvenient problem. His eyes darted back and forth as he stared at the floor, forming a plan before he looked back at Pam and ordered in their language, "Gå. Säg ingenting." With that, Pam nodded but was still riddled with unease, trying her best to compose her usual confident self. Eric turned to Ginger and with just a look, she hurried away. I poked my head around Eric.

"Wait, Ginger!" She looked shocked that I called her and unsure if her master would let her reply. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Eric regarding me with slight amusement. "Could you grab me a wet cloth please?"

The woman even had the cheek to look up at the vampire, waiting on his confirmation. She soon fled and returned with one, handing it over to me, ignoring my unimpressed expression.

Eric was smirking down at me, arching his eyebrow. "Ordering my staff around, are we?"

"Bend down," I ordered, unable to comfortably reach his face.

"I have to go-"

"Not looking like this, you won't," I commanded. "Sit."

He moved to the couch that sat behind me. My breath hitched slightly as Eric silently removed his shirt and threw it behind his desk. The wet cloth was cold against his chest. I looked at him innocently, regarding my interactions with his staff and said, "She made me a few drinks too. On the house, of course."

He gave a light chuckle, watching my hand wipe away the blood as fast as I could.

"Naughty girl," he murmured, his eyes growing dark as my fingertips accidently grazed his lower abdomen. His voice grew serious. "I think my debt to you owes more than a few beverages."

I gave a hum in agreement but caught his gaze on my naked stomach, eyeballing the red slash across my tummy.

"It wasn't your fault, Eric."

Self disgust bit at his words. "Then whose else was it?" I didn't have the energy to argue, and in all honesty, I'm not sure I even believed my own words. Eric had left me behind in that mansion, listening to Russell beat me and burn me. He escorted me to the king's feet, in full knowledge of what would happen.

"It's true," I mumbled. "You could have prevented it. But right now," I wiped the cloth across his face, removing the evidence of his earlier transgression, "is not the time for an argument. You have bigger battles to fight, Eric Northman." I ran the cloth down his throat. "You can explain yourself later."

As quick as a whip, he had my wrist in his hand. I swallowed when I saw him gazing up at me with pure regret. I was taken aback by how young repentance made him look. His earnest eyes never left mine.

"I am sorry, Melody." The cloth remained by his neck, my body frozen by his words. Caught off guard, Eric grabbed at my hips and tugged me forwards until my body was an inch from his. With a gentle touch I didn't know he possessed, his thumbs brushed my hip bones and his breath danced over the scar. My insides somersaulted as his lips pressed against the offending area, kissing the scar with affection and remorse.

My eyes fluttered, a moan escaping my lips and before I knew it, his mouth was on mine. He towered over me, gripping my hips and moulding our bodies together. I threaded my fingers into his blonde locks, holding on for dear life as he nipped at my bottom lip, uttering my name in want. Our bare torsos grinded and his hands clawed at my back. Eric pulled our lips apart. I caught my breath and sighed as he regarded me with something else entirely, entwined with lust and a need to continue his assault on my lips. I was warm and giddy from his burning expression. After a moment, he released his fangs and dug two holes into his wrist.

Eagerly I brought his skin to my lips, drinking deeply and enjoying the taste of lust and immortality. Eric grunted and hissed, taking pleasure from my feeding. I felt him kiss the top of my head, firmly holding me to him, reluctant to let go. After just a minute, he gently pulled his wrist away and seared my lips with his once more. When he moved away again, we shared a knowing look that he was needed elsewhere imminently.

He steadied my body as he pulled away, his hands unwilling to leave my touch. His breath came heavily as he leaned his forehead against mine.

"Later," he promised, kissing my hairline tenderly. I didn't know what he referred to; my unanswered questions, our need for each other, or both.

Eric eyed my appearance, my hair dishevelled and my chest heaving in excitement. He hungrily growled and grabbed the Fangtasia top I had dropped. Disgusted at the thought of putting on clothes as opposed to shedding them, he handed it to me. "Put that on or I won't be responsible for what I do to you." While I clambered into the top, he checked that his muscular body was clear of Talbot and readied himself to face the Authority. He turned and headed for the office door, retrieving a clean shirt from a hook. He shrugged the item of clothing on before stepping towards me.

I watched the door, anxious of what was behind it and facing the consequences of the past few days. Eric saw the worry cross my face and nudged my chin up with his fingers, directing my gaze to his.

"Don't leave this room until I get you," he ordered with no room to argue. I didn't want to, nodding softly in agreement. I had to look out for Sookie, but with the AVL literally right outside the door and Russell waiting God knows where, ready to tear us limb from limb, I was going nowhere. As Eric turned and left, shutting the door firmly behind in a echoed order to remain inside, I practically fell onto the couch in a mix of exhaustion, fear and want, bitterly waiting out the hours for him to return.