If there are things that don't seem to make sense in chapters 12 or 13, make sure to read "Hot for Teacher" and fill in the blanks. This will explain why Bill is actually sleeping in bed with Mattie.
I kind of went crazy with this chapter and didn't have time to fit the car in as much as I would have liked. It will have another moment in the sun in Chapter 14 and beyond.
Will chapter 13 be lucky or unlucky? Let's see shall we? It's a looooong one.
I do not own any of the characters from Southern Vampire Mysteries. They all belong to Charlaine Harris. Bless her for sharing them with us. Mattie is my very own.
Chapter 13
My head hurt like a son of a bitch when I finally woke up. It was 3pm. I had slept almost 14 hours. I looked over at Bill lying next to me. I instantly felt horrible about what had happened the night before. He had just made me so angry. It's not my fault he doesn't understand my affinity for my car.
I grabbed some aspirin from the medicine cabinet and looked in the mirror. I looked like crap. My eye make-up was smeared all over my face. I brushed my teeth and rubbed my face clean before scanning my eyes to leave the room. I shut the door behind me since Bill wouldn't be up for a while.
I was starving. I poured myself a glass of juice and took my pills. Rummaging through the fridge, I pulled out some eggs and bacon. We must have some bread in the cabinet so I could make myself a breakfast sandwich. Good thing I never learned how to cook because this kitchen was pretty useless anyway.
While I was eating I scanned the books Bill had left on the table. The one in front of me was open to a page about blood exchange. I knew he was concerned about what would happen to me if I ever had vampire blood. Strangely enough, that was something Vincent and I never did. He never once fed from me and I certainly had never fed from him. We had sex quite a few times, but it just never happened and I had never expected it to. Looking back on that I found it strange, especially knowing what I know from mine and Bill's love making.
Bill biting me was the single most erotic thing I had ever experienced. The feeling of him inside of me, touching and tasting my body, combined with his fangs puncturing my flesh was more than I could handle. My climaxes were so intense I was left warm and tingling from head to toe. I had to take a few deep breaths. I couldn't help but feel a little excited just thinking about it.
I wiped the tears that were now streaming down my face. This was the first time we had ever fought. It wasn't something I ever wanted to do again. He had told me he loved me. I hadn't heard that in so long. I loved him too. I was determined to make it up to him. If he even wanted me to. I wasn't sure how angry he was with me.
I decided to do some studying. Maybe it would make Bill happy if I took it upon myself to learn something without him having to coax me into it. I picked up the book and began to read.
The effects of ingesting vampire blood can manifest in many ways. There are many determining factors such as, vampiric age, quantity ingested, and the nature of the affiliation with the donor. Various studies have been done on the subject with conclusive results.
Vampire blood ingested in small amounts, less than a pint for example, will have limited after effects. The donating vampire will be able to sense it's recipient. In turn, the recipient will posses temporary health and healing boosts, along with an increase in libido.
Check, check, and double check.
When feeding from a vampire that the recipient also has a personal relationship with, after effects can linger on for longer amounts of time. Just as human emotions impact relationships, so can those of the vampire. Although emotion in most vampires is limited to subtle connections, some vampires can form stronger bonds. It is not unheard of for frequent blood exchange between a vampire and a human to result in a permanent blood bond. Permanent bonds will never weaken. They do however require frequent feedings to strengthen the bond resulting in the ability to sense one and other's emotions and location.
So that explained Eric and Sookie. Bill had told me they were permanently bonded, but I had never known why or what that meant. They always seemed to function like a normal couple, aside from Eric's political bullshit.
I wondered what it would be like to be permanently bonded to Bill, knowing he was always with me and how he felt. What if he was angry? Would that make me angry? I would have to ask Sookie about her bond. Not that I was planning on entering into one, but I was naturally curious.
Vampiric age is perhaps the strongest determining factor. Meaning that the older the Vampire, the stronger the blood will be. Millennial vampires posses the most potent blood. Feeding from a millennial vampire can result in superhuman strength, extremely keen vision and sense of smell, in addition to slowing the aging process. The effects of these feedings can be permanent.
No problem there. Bill was not nearly that old and I was NEVER going to feed from Eric if I could help it.
There are some supernatural beings that experience unusually strong effects to feeding from a vampire. Witches and slayers can become twice as powerful from ingesting vampire blood. Emotional swings can also occur such as personality changes, resulting in increased aggression. Not enough conclusive evidence exists to confirm that the same results occur in each witch or slayer. Just as human personalities are all different, so are those of supernatural beings. Predisposition to anger and aggression is common in slayers of any kind. This being the case, it is never wise for vampire or demon slayers to regularly consume vampire blood.
Well, that was comprehensive enough.
I was probably the happiest person I knew before I started training with Eric and Bill. That's not to say I'm an angry person now, I am just far more in touch with other emotions besides happiness. I think that learning about myself had triggered some of those senses in me. This was probably the reason my mother never wanted me to train. She hadn't wanted me to change from her sweet little girl into an angry killing machine. Bill had seen the change in me and he was not pleased.
I read a few more of the texts, but they all seemed to say the same thing. My ingesting Bill's blood was a bad idea. It was kind of sad to read that in a way. When he had taken my blood, it was a natural reaction for me to want his. Maybe we could do some research of our own. Maybe in moderation it would enhance my skills and not my emotions. We would have to discuss it with Eric.
It was almost 6 pm, so I thought I would go upstairs and make myself more presentable before Bill rose. I let myself back into our room, but he wasn't in bed. I heard the shower running. I sat on the end of our bed and waited for him.
A few minutes later he came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Yum. He didn't say anything to me. He just kept walking over to the window. So much for the make-up sex.
I could tell he was still angry, just how angry I wasn't sure. I began to walk over to him, but he turned around before I even got around the bed. He stared at me for a moment before he spoke.
"You look awful and you still smell like beer. Take a shower." He walked over to the closet, grabbed some clothes, and left the room with them.
I burst into tears and threw myself on the bed. I was sure he could hear my sobbing, but he didn't come back. I laid on my pillow for a few minutes trying to calm down and catch my breath.
The water streaming down my body washed away the stink of beer and I began to feel a lot better. I washed my hair and face, shaved my legs and turned off the shower. I toweled myself off and began to style my hair. Bill had looked so angry with me. Seeing him walk by me without any concern for my feelings was killing me. I threw on some yoga pants and a tank top and walked downstairs with my running shoes in hand.
Bill was sitting at the table again drinking a bottle of TrueBlood and reading the book I had left open. He didn't so much as move when I came in the room. I poured myself a glass of water and sat in the chair next to him.
"You were reading this?" I nodded my head. "It's not like you to read something without being told to." Yep, he was still mad. I tried to ignore his snide remark.
"We'll need to avoid you ingesting vampire blood until we know for certain how well you can control your emotions. Based on your behavior last night, I would say you aren't nearly ready for that kind of intimacy." His words stung like a slap in the face.
"Not that this means much to you at the moment, but I am sorry Bill. You were right, I did overreact. All I can say is I'm sorry." I looked down at my hands waiting for him to respond.
Pushing his chair back from the table, Bill got up and walked over to the sink, rinsing out his bottle and setting it on the counter.
"I don't know what you want me to say Mattie. You acted like such a child. I was embarrassed when I walked into the bar and saw you there. I have always thought of you as strong and intelligent. You disappointed me."
"The last person I want to fight with is you. I love you Bill! I've been going through so much lately with all of this training and instruction. I'm feeling emotions I've never felt before and everything in me is magnified 100%. I'm tired and I'm also a little scared. I let my emotions get the best of me." He was leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, staring down at the floor."
"I have given all of myself to you Mattie, in every sense. And yet you act like I bore you with your studies and you spend so damned much time with Eric. I know it's important for your training, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! I do so much for you, never asking anything in return. My heart and my home have always been yours. It's just a stupid car Mattie. Is it too much for me to ask to be more important to you than your stupid car? All I want from you is some damned respect!"
He stalked out of the room, folding himself onto the couch. Naturally I followed him. This was a conversation that I needed to finish, one way or the other. I stood in front of him looking down.
"Have you ever considered the fact that she's all I have?" Bill stared daggers at me.
"Sure I have you, but everything around here is yours. The house, your friends, your life. I share all that with you and I am grateful to you, but my car is the only thing that is truly mine. It's the one thing I can say I worked hard for and no matter where I go, she goes with me. I don't want to get so wrapped up in all you are that I forget who I am. I appreciate you and I do respect you, but you don't own me. I get enough of that from Eric, I don't need it from you. Does that make any sense to you at all?"
I sat down at the other end of the couch and laced up my shoes. Bill didn't speak.
"I'm going for a run. I missed training last night and I don't need to get soft before the weekend or I'll regret it. I'll be outside if you need me." I got up and left without even looking at him.
It was cool outside, but once I started running I warmed up. I was too angry to cry. I just needed to run and think. I hadn't lied to Bill, I did respect and appreciate him. I also loved him more than I had ever loved anyone. I ran out onto Hummingbird Road and toward town. It was quiet and dark. It felt good to be alone.
Truth be told, Eric and Bill were stifling me a little. When I wasn't at Fangtasia waiting tables or playing bouncer with Pam, I was training with Eric.
When he wasn't there, Bill was constantly by my side teaching me or loving me. One of the reasons I liked to get up early to watch the sunset was because he wasn't there. I wanted them both to know I was serious about my job and my life, but there is only so much a girl can take. I needed a vacation.
When I got back to the house I had been gone nearly an hour. I walked around looking for Bill, but he wasn't there. I checked the garage and his Cadillac was still there, he couldn't be far. I started walking through the yard. I wasn't exactly searching for him, but I was kind of worried. He was ALWAYS there when I came home. I guess I had taken that for granted.
I heard a rustling in the bushes and froze. What the hell was that? I heard it again, so I quietly stepped over to investigate. I took a deep breath in through my nose. I smelled a metallic smell mixed with burning flesh. My stomach churned, instantly knowing what was wrong. I ran over to the brush only to find Bill lying in the dark wrapped in silver. Dropping to the ground I began quickly pulling the chains from his body. He screamed out when I pulled them from his charred flesh.
"Who would do this to you baby? Did you see who it was?" Bill nodded his head. I could see the pain and fear in his eyes. He was looking behind me at something in the clearing near the garage. A booming voice cut through the night.
"Come and get me slayer. Exact your revenge and show me what you're made of!" I knew that voice. I had heard it nearly every night for weeks. I was fuming as I ran over toward Eric in full attack mode. I would show him what I was made of. When I was through with him he would be lucky if he wasn't finally dead.
Running toward him at top speed, I plowed into him like a lineman, knocking him on his ass. I sat on his chest and punched him as hard as I could in the face. I was pretty sure I had broken my hand, but I wasn't about to stop. I scratched at his face with my nails. He grabbed me at the waist and threw me to the ground, rolling over on top of me, holding my arms above my head. I felt a burning in my skin as my cheek scratched across the ground.
You can do this Mattie. You learned from the best, now be better than the best.
I kicked out my legs in a v and dug my heels into his back as hard as I could. I was wishing I was wearing some sort of stilettos so I could have punctured his skin. I bit him in the ear as hard as I could and he growled. Since he still had my hands, I hit him with the only thing I could, my head. He seemed dazed for a moment and rolled over, affording me a second to jump up to my feet. I was running on pure adrenaline at this point otherwise I'm sure our heads colliding would have knocked me out.
"Not so fast Mattie dear." He was up on his feet again grabbing my arm. I sent a swift sidekick into his chest. He reeled back a bit and then spun my leg. My whole body followed. I flew through the air and slammed down on the ground, rocks tearing into my shoulder. There were so many emotions boiling over in me. I trusted him and he had hurt Bill to get to me. I knew he had wanted me destroyed the moment he saw me kill that vampire. I was angry at myself for trusting him so much. I began to see him as a friend and a confidant. I thought of Bill again and more anger rose up inside me along with a despair I had only felt once before in my life.
I scrambled to my feet and jumped onto his back. I flipped myself up and over his head landing in front of him. I screamed out like a banshee, grabbed his arm, and flipped Eric backwards and over my shoulder. He landed on the ground with a thud and began laughing.
"What the hell is so funny you bastard? I trusted you! I will kill you for this!" I jumped down on top of him straddling his chest. I could feel his rumbling laughter. I was panting hard. I cocked my arm to punch him again, but he grabbed my broken hand and twisted it backward. The pain was searing and I was fighting to hold back tears. We sat there for a moment as I began to get my wits back. My eyes were still glowing, reflecting in his when he began to speak.
"You've done well little one. I think you're ready." What the fuck was he talking about? Ready?
"Calm down Mattie. We had to see what you could do. We had to know what you could accomplish if you were determined enough."
Sookie? When did she get here? Was she in on this? Was I surrounded by traitors? I was so sure she could never have hurt Bill. Apparently Eric thought it was safe and let go of my arm. I got up, backing away from them as Eric got to his feet. I was still fuming until I heard a soft voice behind me.
"It's alright my darling. I am fine." Bill? He was OK? I was so confused.
"What is wrong with you people? What the hell is going on?" I looked back and forth to all of them, no one spoke. "Will somebody answer me dammit!"
"I had to see what would happen if you were angry. How much emotion would spill out of you and how powerful you would be. I guess I've done a good job with you. You were amazing!" Eric was beaming at me. He was wearing that proud parent face.
"So you tortured Bill to get me worked up? That's some sadistic shit Eric! What the hell's the matter with you?" I was starting to get angry again, although I hadn't really stopped being angry from before. I could feel my hand throbbing again.
"It was my idea Mattie. I needed to know it was genuine emotion and not just practice time. If you have to go to battle, it will be for real. We won't be here on the lawn at our home." Bill's words cut through me like a knife. He had given himself over to torture so he could help me be prepared? I immediately felt horrible. He had sacrificed himself for me.
At that moment, I was overcome with pain and emotion. I felt consciousness swirling around me as I crumpled to the ground in a heap. I was drifting in and out when I heard a crunch and Eric's voice.
"Drink." He commanded.
"She is MINE." Bill growled at him.
"No honey, let Bill do that." I heard another crunch.
"Drink sweetheart. It will make you feel better." I obeyed and then I passed out for good.