Stay Tempted...

There wasn't enough time in the world for the fear inside of me to settle after witnessing the murder on TV. But for now, I was sat on top of the bar, watching others more powerful and stronger than me work to pick up the pieces. As soon as the cameras went off, Eric took barely a moment before he flew into his office and disappeared for some time. Pam gathered herself shortly after, fixed her hair and outfit, before returning to the bar where all she and I could do was drink and wait. When Eric had reappeared from his office, he opened the doors of Fangtasia to a balding man, short and clearly human.

"Thank you for coming at short notice," Eric spoke though he hardly sounded grateful.

The man nodded, following Eric's lead to a table across the bar. He lifted his briefcase onto the table and began to pull out paperwork just as Eric took a seat. "As you said over the phone, Mr Northman, the matter was urgent. And I'm accustomed to working all hours with my clients." He sat opposite the vampire, ignoring our prying eyes.

I leaned over on my spot on the bar to whisper to Pam.

"Who's the guy?"

Pam slowly turned to regard me, an eyebrow quirked as if to say 'none of your Goddamn business' before she exhaled. "Lawyer."

I frowned. Why was Eric bringing in a lawyer?

"The next article," the lawyer continued to read, "I give all my residences subject to any mortgages or encumbrances thereon, to-"

"My progeny," Eric answered as the lawyer filled out the paperwork, "Pamela Swynford DeBeaufort."

With this, Pam pushed away from the bar and stormed up to her Maker, her arms crossed and her head filled with questions.

"Eric, why are you doing this?"

Eric did not even look up at his progeny. "Because Pam, Russell Edgington was maybe the oldest and strongest vampire on the planet before we watched him eviscerate a news anchor live on TV. Now he's also the craziest, and his rage is directed at me. You do the math." Pam did not budge as her manicured hands were propped on her hips. Eric gestured to the man opposite. "Continue."

"Article four: I give the rest of my residuary estate to-"

"My progeny, Pamela Swynford DeBeaufort."

Pam glared down at him. "You're not even going to put up a fight?"

He glared ahead, his patience wearing thin. "Of course I am. But until I come up with a brilliant plan to beat him, I am covering my bases and your ass. Be quiet."

"Eric-"

He turned in his seat, his teeth clenched in frustration. "Unless you have a plan for me to defeat Russell Edgington, do not distract me!"

I watched from the bar in uncomfortable silence as the vampire I cared for prepared for his eventual and true death at the hands of Russell, and it frightened me to my core. Because if the Viking believed this could be the end for him, it meant I was left with borrowed time.

Eric's lawyer continued, his eyes glancing towards me at the back of the room. "Your signature requires two witnesses that can be neither myself or the beneficiary of your estate. Do you have anyone else present?"

It was then that I watched Eric's head drop slowly and his voice went quiet. He turned to direct his order at Pam. "Fetch her."

Pam watched him then glanced at me, her arms folded in what I could only describe as discomfort. She turned back to her Maker. "Eric-".

"Just get her." Eric's temper was wearing thin. Pam resigned and just when I thought she'd turn and drag me forward, she slipped out of room towards the stockroom.

I caught Eric's gaze and he beckoned me forward. Not willing to push his heated temper any further, I did as he asked and hopped off from the bar. When I came to stand beside him, confused, his hand moved to lightly touch my wrist with the most subtle affection.

I frowned, waiting to watch his signature, until the swing of the door had me turn, watching a tall and beautiful figure approach us. One that I had hoped I'd never have to lay eyes on again.

As if she could not feel the resentment pooling from my skin, Yvetta came to stand beside me with a smile, looking to her boss for clarification. Eric didn't even look at her, nor me.

"Are you mentally competent and under no duress at this time?"

"да?"

"Good, then watch this." With that, Eric signed the paperwork before dragging Yvetta's hand to sign the first witness box below. Without looking, Eric held out the pen to me, waiting for me to sign.

My eyes burned into the back of his head, silently seething, before flickering over to Pam. For the first time, I saw something akin to sympathy on Pam's face as I snatched the pen from Eric, stepped around the tall Russian dancer and signed my name as a witness, before marching right back over to the bar and pouring myself a large one.

The lawyer's click of the pen resounded within the room. He gathered the paperwork and cleared his throat within the sickly, uncomfortable silence.

"Congratulations, Ms DeBeaufort. According to the State of Louisiana, should Mr Northman meet the true death, you will become a very wealthy vampire." He stood. "I'll show myself out. Good evening, Mr Northman."

The lawyer trudged his way out as the dancer looked from him to the blonde vampire still sat. Anger began to spill from her lips as I watched her from my spot perched on the bar.

Her thick accent was filled with accusation. "You're giving her everything? You promised to take care of me!"

"I promised you a job and good sex, that's all."

I blanched at the statement, my heart squeezing in my chest. From the corner of my eye, I felt Pam gage me for my reaction, but I continued to blankly stare, anger rolling on my tongue.

Yvetta sneered, "So I mean nothing to you?"

Eric stood abruptly, his chair falling backwards as he towered over her. "Less than nothing, you gold digging whore!"

In that moment, my anger for the woman dissipated as tears pricked at her eyes, her foot kicking hard at the chair before she stormed past Eric, past me and out the back.

Pam stepped forward, her eyes glaring at the Viking.

"You can be a cold hearted bastard, you know?"

Eric's piercing gaze shot to the side, holding his progeny's tongue. "Russell is coming for us. We look after our own, Pam." He took three strides before he was bearing down on her. "If I meet the true death, you leave. Take Melody and leave."

Eric refused to acknowledge my stare as my eyebrows shot up towards my hairline. "Excuse me?"

He spoke to both of us but kept his eyes on his heir. "I took all that Russell Edgington cares for, and he will do the same to me." Eric's tone left no room for argument, but could almost be mistaken as a plead when he spoke to Pam next. "Do this for me, Pam. If I'm going to die, someone must protect her."

Pam's glare continued until finally she wavered, nodding once at her maker in understanding, stepping round him to sweep out of the room.

It didn't take much time before I felt Eric's gaze land on me. It wasn't until he stood in front of me that I begrudgingly met his eyes. Being perched on top of the bar had me almost meeting his glorious height.

"Do not sulk." His eyes held no hint of amusement.

I glared at him. "I'm not sulking." My eyes glanced towards the door Yvetta had disappeared through. "So you promised her good sex, huh?"

His eyes narrowed. "Don't be jealous."

With all the maturity I could muster, I refrained from rolling my eyes at him, my anger still simmering away beneath the surface. As if sensing it would boil over, Eric's large hand gripped my neck as he bent his head slightly to watch me carefully.

"Don't be." His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "You are not the same."

I swallowed. "Aren't we?"

"You are mine." Eric didn't miss a beat. "If I meet the true death, Melody, you will go with Pam. She will protect you."

My eyes narrowed. "I've done quite enough moving around as it is, Eric. You can't expect me to disappear and leave the few friends I have behind. Sookie, Aunt Barbs...I've found a home here-"

"That's exactly what I expect you to do." His hand gripped the back of my neck tighter. "If you stay, you die."

I held his gaze for a long time. I took his hand from my neck and held it in mine, close to my chest. "If I go with Pam, he'll find us. You know that." Eric's all knowing stare faltered. I gripped his hand tighter in mine. "If Russell really wants to make you pay, Pam and I won't stand a chance. Eric, you are the strongest man I know. Fuck Russell's years. You're smart, cunning, way too clever for your own good. Use it," I preached. "Find a way for both of us to survive this."

His eyes searched mine before he pulled his hand away from my grasp, only to grab my sides and pull my body tightly to his in a searing kiss. His lips were unforgiving on mine, the pressure making my head spin. I tugged at his shirt for a moment, wanting more until I pushed him away, desperately ignoring the growl he released from the lack of contact.

"Don't," I murmured, allowing my forehead to rest against his, shaking my head a little, "Don't kiss me like you're saying goodbye."

Eric's voice was quiet as his next words breathed against my skin. "If I'm to face the true death, Melody, I want you to forgive me."

I raised my eyebrows, pulling back from his intoxicating smell. "Eric Northman - the big bad - apologising?" I looked into his eyes and could see what little hope he held. I cupped his cheek softly. "Find us a way out of this. Then we'll leave the past in the past, and we'll move on from all of this. Then," I smirked, "I'll consider being yours."

It took a second, but the famous Eric's knowing smile slowly grew. A spark lit behind his eyes and I wasn't certain if I should feel pleased or worried for the idea that began to unravel in his cunning mind. My hand was in his and he brought it to his lips, placing a chaste kiss to the back of my hand as he drew away from my body, moving swiftly towards the door.

I frowned. "Where are you going, you only have a few hours until sunrise!"

"To find a way out," he yelled back, echoing my words, grabbing his jacket on his way. "Pamela, keep an eye on her." He opened the door to Fangtasia and sped away, letting it slowly swing closed behind him.

To be continued...