Chapter 8

Never in my thousand years of existing, had I ever felt so weakened. I felt Godric die. It felt as if my heart was being ripped from my chest. The sun had since risen. I felt the tears of blood run down my cheeks, along with the blood from my nose and ears. I needed to sleep, but the anguish I felt, losing my maker overcame my need for sleep. I heard the door to the room creak open. I smelled her as she entered the room.

"Eric?" Her voice called for me. I stayed where I was. I heard her audible gasp as she hurried over to me. "You're a mess." She said. She laid a warm hand on my shoulder. I almost leaned into her touch. "Hold on a minute I'll be right back." She left my side and went to the bathroom. I heard running water. She returned with a wet washcloth in her hand. She wiped my face as gently as she could. I looked up at her. She smiled awkwardly as she swiped my eyes with her cloth. I watched her kneel in front of me as she wiped my chest free of the streaks of blood. I felt her exhaustion. She stood after she had finished. "There now you don't look as if you've murdered someone." I grunted. I raised my eyes to look up at her.

"I would have showered at some point." She tilted her head.

"I think you needed someone to look after you at this point."

"I am not a child." I mumbled. She knelt down so her eyes were level with mine.

"I know that. I thought you could use some company." She stood and sat on the bed next to me. I turned my head to look at her. The next thing she did I would never forget until the day I met the true death. She wrapped her warm arms around my shoulders and hugged me. That single unselfish gesture endured her to me ever more. I raised my arms to bring her closer to me. She didn't fight me this time. Gone was the wildcat I had in her bed not a few short days ago. The woman in my arms was offering me release from my anguish and pain. I buried my face in her neck and inhaled. Her sweet scent filled my nostrils. She arched her neck in response. I opened my mouth and closed it on her skin. She gasped as my fangs grazed her sensitive skin. I wound my arm around her waist and groped for the tiny zipper on the back of her dress. My left hand cupped her full breast. I caressed her nipple in between my thumb and fore finger. I had finally found the zipper. I eased it down slowly drinking in each inch of bear skin I bared. I slipped down the straps of her dress. I looked at her. The light from the fire at her back alighted her skin with a luminescent glow. I looked into her eyes, waiting to see if she would stop me. She didn't. She stood in front of me, and with an enticing twitch of her hips, the dress floated to the floor. I growled and grasped her hips in my hands and brought her forward to meet my lips. I grasped the flimsy straps of the thong and tore it away. I stared for a minute at her loveliness. I looked back up at her once more, the question in my eyes. She smiled and lifted one leg and settled her foot on the bed. I growled and buried my lips and tongue into her moist softness. She mewled with pleasure as I felt her fingers entwine in my hair tugging me closer. I obliged her by burying my tongue deep inside her. I felt her spasm instantly. I swept her up into my arms without another word and laid her down on the bed. I quickly removed the rest of my clothing and joined her on the bed.

"This is only the beginning my lover." As I went to slide into her, a noise jolted me wide awake.

I opened my coffin to see Pam standing over me. She grinned knowingly.

"Having a good dream Eric?" She asked sweetly. I grimaced as I grasped the sides of the coffin. My lower extremities were painfully hard at this point. Pam pointed it out to me very, indelicately.

"And, good evening to you too Pamela." I said lowering myself into my chair.

"I trust all is well with our dear Sookie?" Pam asked inspecting her nails. I looked back up to her.

"I would assume so, since I haven't heard from her since her return to Bon Temps."

"It seems that Maenaed is doing a number on the town, turning people into mindless creatures." I leapt out of my chair.

"You decided to tell me this now? Why didn't you call to report this?" Pam looked at me directly.

"I'm sorry Eric, It didn't occur to me to tell you something was going on here, when you were in the next state over powerless to stop it." I started to say something when Chow knocked and opened the door and stuck his head in.

"There is a Sam Merlott is here along with two young human children." Pam grimaced.

"Let Merlott know I will be out in a few minutes." I walked over to the closet where I kept a few choice pieces of clothing. I pulled on a light grey suit with a black silk shirt. I looked at myself in the mirror that hung on the inside door of the closet. The dream had been so real. I felt her still in my hands. I clenched my hands. Now was not the time. I needed to see Merlotte and find out what he wanted. I straighted my suit jacket and walked out of my office.

The two children with Merlotte gasped at the sight of me. I'd be calling myself a liar if I didn't enjoy their momentary fear of me. I smiled fangily at them and turned to Merlotte.

"What can I help you with shifter?" I asked looking at him with a bored look. I sat down on the seat before him, and sprawled out nonchalantly.

"There is a Maenaed attacking the town." Pam looked down at me from behind with an 'I told you so' glance. I ignored her.

"I still fail to see how this is any business of mine." I eyed Merlotte. His fury was growing at me.

"She has overrun the town. She must be stopped. I'm asking you to help because you are the strongest vampire in these parts." I had to give Sam Merlotte some credit. He was not stupid.

"And what do I get in return." I said serious this time. "can you give me Sookie Stackhouse?" Sam looked at me stunned for a minute. "No I can't. She is in danger. The Maenaed and her troupe have taken Sookies house. I Figured you may wanted to help us, because of Sookie." He was right, there.

"Alright, I'll help. But I need to go to someone who can help us." Sam tilted his head in understanding. I stood and began walking out of the bar. Pam threw a taunt at me and I grinned as I walked out buttoning my suit jacket.

As Soon as I stepped outside, Merlotte and the tiny humans watched as I launched myself into the sky. I was going to see the only person I knew could help with this problem. The queen of Louisiana herself, Sophie Anne Leclerc.