Chapter 7 – Dyaus of Rome

I was driving home from a double shift at Merlottes and I was nearly half asleep. I had hurried out of Fangtasia before I had a chance to explain anything to Sookie. I just wanted to get out of there. Guardian angels, no matter how virtuous they look, are neutral. Sophia was different because I knew she cared about me and my well-being but I had met some who did not. Guardians are neither good nor bad. They just are.

Guardian angels preserve the spiritual powers and abilities of each and every human being with magic powers attributed to their souls, this was a genius. Each individual place had a genius, and so did powerful objects, such as volcanoes. Although the term genius might apply to any divinity whatsoever, it didn't only refrain to supernatural. Genius applied most often to individual places or people with a supernatural pull.

The supreme hierarchy of the Roman gods was modeled after a human family. It featured a father god, Jupiter, who, in a patriarchal society was also the supreme divine unity, and a mother, Juno, queen of the gods. Jupiter ruled the sky and the thunder and Juno was the protector and special counselor of the state. She is a daughter of Saturn and sister (but also the wife) of the chief god Jupiter and the mother of Mars and Vulcan. Juno also looked after the women of Rome.

These supreme unities were divided into prodigies for each individual family; hence, the genius of each female, representing the female domestic reproductive power, was a Juno. The male function was a Jupiter. There were many saints under the leadership of Jupiter. Many had been given a location to which they ruled in their sainthood. There was Celeste of the Reaps, Neptunia of the Waters and the Dyaus of Rome.

The Dyaus of Rome was the genii of the supernaturals. Dyaus had fallen from grace at a young age. He had been condemned to live among humans because of his fondness of travelling to the human realm and fornicating with human women. Jupiter had said that since he enjoyed sex with them he could spend the rest of his life with them. Dyaus lived a life of misery until he stumbled upon a woman one night. She was sitting on the edge of a waterfall in the middle of the city square, crying. She was beautiful, it was said that she held the beauty of a thousand sunsets, and Dyaus watched her from afar. She sat there until a dog came by, stumbling and whining. She helped the dog, lifting it up and feeding it water. Dyaus had fallen in love in that moment. He had followed her for days after that, until one night she was attacked by a group of men. Dyaus saved her and after that she had fallen in love with him to.

They lived a good life. Dyaus became a businessman, selling pottery. They had had two children, Janus and Faunus. While on business trip Dyaus heard of a conspiracy to rid Jupiter of his throne. Dyaus warned Jupiter of this and for saving the father god he was given his divinity back. Dyaus refused to go back to the heavens but instead stayed with his wife and children. He was given his divinity back nonetheless and became the first saint to not have transcended into the metaphysical. He was a human saint. Dyaus ruled the Spirit World and it is said that all supernaturals are descendants from him and the guardians are our protectors.

'You're moving in with Bill!'

'I know it's alot to take in but I love Bill.'

'Is that the only reason?'

'No, since Eric bought the house I just don't feel safe here.'

'Oh.'

'Look at it this way; you'll have the house all to yourself.'

'I guess.'

'I'm going to go pack.'

Sookie had run into her room and packed the essentials. It had been the weirdest conversation I had ever had. I knew Sookie still didn't trust Bill so it was weird to see her just decide to move in with Bill because she didn't feel comfortable. Sookie was no coward. We said our goodbyes and she ran down to her car.

I got into the shower, letting the water massage the tension away. It felt amazing to just be able to relax without having to think about any of the shit that was going on in my life. I got out the shower; wrapping a towel around myself I walked into my room. I got out my lotion and dropped the towel so I could rub it unto myself.

'Mmmhhh...' I heard behind me and I shrieked, turning to see Pam standing there. I grabbed the comforter of the bed and covered myself with it.

'Oh please, honey. I've seen it all before.' She drawled she still had that ridiculous smirk on her face. 'But I must say I'm very impressed.' I swear to god that smirk is genetic because it was almost a dead ringer to Eric's.

'How did you get in?'

'Eric owns the house.' She said carelessly, her eyes glazed over with lust. 'Any vampire can walk in.'

'What do you want?'

'We need to speak.

'Well if you don't mind I'd like to get dressed in private.'

'I do mind.'

'Pam.'

'Fine, I'll wait… downstairs,' she said, eyeing me up and down before she turned and left.

I got dressed as quickly as I could in sweat pants and a T-shirt. I scooped my hair on to one side and grabbed my brush, running downstairs. I wanted her out as soon as possible. To be honest the comment about any vampire being able to enter my house on their own will really scared me. I had enough to deal with, wondering when my Dad and Justin would show up. I didn't need to have vampires in that mix to.

'So… why are you here?'

'Eric summons you.'

'What?'

'Your presence is required at Fangtasia.'

'Why?'

'I only follow orders I don't ask questions.' Okay…

'Well, when?'

'Tonight.'

'Tonight!' I yelled, Pam looked at me with a curious look. 'Pam, I'm exhausted. Tell him some other time maybe.'

'What Eric wants Eric gets, so put on something pretty and hurry your fine ass down to Fangtasia.' She said, before she sped off. Ugh! I was not about to bend over backwards because some guy wants me to, no pun intended. I was not about to get out of my comfortable sweats and run down to see him like some little slave girl. No, I wasn't. If he wanted to talk he could come see me. And with that I stomped up to bed.

'Night Sam, see you tomorrow.' I said as I walked past him and pushed upon the backdoor to the employee's parking lot where I kept my Mini.

'Night Andy,' he said and gave me a slight wave before I walked out into the night air. A breeze crawled over my skin and I stood there inhaling the fresh air. I saw a shadow moving beside me and I turned quickly, holding my breath.

'Jumpy, aren't we?' I heard Eric's amused voice say. He was leaned against the wall, blocking my path to my car.

'What are you doing here?' I said, I was extremely exhausted and I just could not deal with this right now. I couldn't deal with him.

'Well, since you refused to come to me I decided to come to you.'

'What do you want?'

'Oh, you know what I want.' He said, suddenly towering over me and brushing my hair from my neck. He gently, but forcefully, pushed me against the wall.

Eric placed both of his hands against the wall, trapping me. He moved his head so we were only inches apart, his blue eyes staring deep into mine. It was eerily quiet and it felt like we were the only people on the planet. He didn't say anything, he just gazed at me for a moment and when he spoke again his voice had a mesmerizing, icy tone to it.

'You want me to bite you.'

'No.' I said shakily and Eric looked shocked for a brief second before he regained his blank mask. 'Please, I want to go home.' He looked curiously at me, tilting his head slightly but not backing away.

'You will,' he said, before he grabbed my chin and yanked it aside, digging his fangs deep in my neck. I screamed, clawing at his back and fighting back until I saw black dots. Eric had gotten a hold of my flailing arms and pushed them up against the wall, holding me in place.

'Eric, unhand the girl.' I heard Bill's voice boom across the parking lot. Eric growled but slowly withdrew from me, looking at Bill over his shoulder.

'I am tasting what is mine.'

'She is not yours.'

'I saved her life so she most definitely is mine.'

'Eric, leave.'

'No, I'm good.'

'Don't you have a bar to handle?'

'I think Pam can handle it.'

'Eric, go!'

Silence.

'Apparently I have to go.'

Eric looked back down at me, that same look in his eyes that had been there before he bit me. He stroked the place where he had bitten, running his thumb down my throat.

'Just know this.' He whispered, almost so only he and I would hear but I knew Bill could hear everything he was saying. 'Everyone who has ever claimed to love you hurt you. I will not give up on you; even if I just want you for my own benefits.' He said it slowly and convincingly that, even if he didn't care for me and he had almost drained me a moment ago, I knew he would protect me. And then he was gone. I really hate vampire speed.

'Good evening Annabelle.' Bill drawled after a moment of silence, he stepped closer to me and I saw that he was wearing a suit. 'Are you alright?'

'Yeah, considering I almost got drained,' I said, rubbing absentmindedly at the fang marks on my neck. It was still bleeding, but not very much. It would heal soon enough.

'I only came here to thank you for being so gracious with Sookie moving out. I appreciate it.'

'Uh, you are welcome,' I started, 'as long as she is happy.'

'I will do my best to assure that she is.'

'Good.' I said, turning and walking towards my car.

'I understand that you are living alone at the Stackhouse residence,' he called after me. 'If you'd like I can have some of my guards patrol the area at nighttime.'

I really didn't know what to say to that. Did I want vampires roaming around in my backyard. It was extremely nice of him to offer although I knew he wasn't offering from the good of his heart. He was trying to score brownie-points with Sookie. Same way Eric tried to when he saved my life. Why else would they have done it? They would never have done anything for me if it wasn't for Sookie so I didn't think I wanted to take him up on his offer. I can take care of myself and I didn't need his pity.

'Thank you Bill but I think I will be fine.' And with that I was on my way home.

It had been two weeks since I had seen Sophia. Or Eric for that matter. I was glad that it seemed like I was done with either one of them. The last two weeks had been tense. I was never able to relax because of fear that one or the other might show up and take me for my powers. They both wanted to. Eric more so than Sophia but she was a divinity, she didn't need to ask. Time was on her side, she just didn't count that it was on Eric's as well. So the only one here actually doing the aging was me and they were both to stubborn to take notice. I mean I am still young at 20 years old but I wouldn't be forever and I was counting full and well on the both of them keeping away until it was too late to recruit me.

I was driving home from a double shift at Merlottes. I was half asleep when I saw a figure walking aimlessly by the side of the road. I drove closer to try and see who it was when I saw him. He was walking slowly, almost naked save for a pair of jeans.

'Eric?' I called out. 'What are you doing here? Where are your clothes?'

Eric turned gently, confusion written all over his face. He turned away a little, sniffing the air before turning back to me and stepping closer to the car.

Eric surged forward but was stopped by the car separating us. I made a run for it, running as fast as my legs could carry me. And then he suddenly was in front of me. And before I knew it I was punching him flat on his nose.

'I am not your fucking dinner.'

'What did you do that for?' he said, putting a hand to his nose. 'You broke my nose.'

'Oh please it will heal in five minutes. You're a vampire.'

'I know what I am!' he hissed. 'I just don't know who I am.'

'What's the last thing you remember?'

'I don't know… the sea maybe. Home.' He had a faraway look in his eyes. 'Den våte sanden mellan mina tåra. Vinden mot mina skulderblad'

'Eric, focus!'

'Why do you smell so good?'

'You know very well why I smell… the way I smell.'

'You smell like vanilla and cinnamon and… air.'

'Okay…'

'I want to bite.' He said dazed and walked up to me, brushing my hair aside about to bite down on my neck.

'Eric, do not bite me!'

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