Dreamer
Chapter 2
I knew there'd come a day
I'd set you free
'Cause I'm sick and tired
Of always being sick and tired
Your love isn't fair
You live in a world where you didn't listen
And you didn't care
So I'm floating
Floating on air
Sick and tired- Anastacia
Eric stood in the mall; Pam at his side. They had come early to pick up things for Percy. She would need clothes and other things; once they got her out of the hospital. They were waiting for Admar now.
He watched the families go by; mom and her children; dad and his children, and even grandparents with their grandkids. He found himself thinking back to his human days. Back to when he had children and a wife; back to when he was just a man. It was all so long ago; he had to wonder why those were suddenly coming to mind. He rarely thought of his human life; it meant nothing to him anymore. Still, the memories crowded his mind. He could even hear the flute music that was played at night; the warmth of the fire as he sat with his men and shared stories.
"Eric?"
He shook himself and focused on the present. They were waiting for Admar to get off work. He looked to Pam; she was watching him intently.
"What?" He grumped.
"You were speaking in your old language, about your family." She peered at him, "Has Persephone got something to do with all of that?"
"How could she?" He turned away and headed further into the mall. Pam followed him and didn't ask anymore questions.
"Oooh, new shoes." Pam stopped at a store, "Look, Eric."
He rolled his eyes, but looked anyway. They were just shoes in his opinon.
"I need to try them on." Pam headed into the store.
Eric considered not following; but they still had a few minutes before Admar was off shift. He entered the store and looked around. It was all so sparkly, so…girly. He put his hands in his pockets and tried not to look as bored as he felt.
Pam sat down and tried on a pair of the shoes. "They look nice." She stood up and walked around the store. "What do you think, Eric?"
He stared at her; his expression said it all. She smiled at him.
Pam paid for the shoes and they left; she carried the bag.
Admar stood outside the store he worked in; he saw them coming and met them halfway. Eric said nothing as they exited the mall. Once in the rental car, Eric turned in his seat and looked at the teen.
"Which hospital?"
"Parkland Memorial."
The hospital was quiet; Eric didn't like being here, but he was only here to get Percy and leave. Pam and Admar followed him. No one stopped them or questioned their presence. They found Percy's room.
"Wait here," Eric instructed as they approached her room.
He stepped in alone and shut the door. She was the only occupant. Several machines monitored her. Making a symphony of sounds and flashing colors.
Eric paused as he saw her lying on the bed. She had aged since he saw her last. Fine lines at settled into her forehead; the skin around her eyes was creased. She wasn't that old; but her face was older. Perhaps it was the dry, cracked lips that sat half-parted. Or it was the pale, almost sallow look of her skin. Her arms lay on either side of her; resting on the blanket. He saw the pale scars on either arm; they were old injuries and had nothing to do with her current state. Tubing ran up her arms to different machines and a bag of liquid.
He approached on silent feet; coming around to the left side of the bed. He paused at the sight of the gold wedding ring on her left hand. Anger surged through him and he was startled. He had thought himself unable to feel; emotion-less. But as he stared at the band of metal; he felt deep and furious anger. Despite his emotions; he was gentle as he reached down and removed the ring from her hand. He set it on the table beside the bed. He continued to be gentle as he lifted her in his arms; holding her upright. He leaned in close to her ear.
"Percy, it's time for you to wake up."
Several minutes clicked by; nothing happened.
"Percy, come on. It's not safe for you to lie here." Eric wondered if she could hear him. He wondered if perhaps he would fail Godric; fail her. Maybe he wouldn't be able to keep his promise.
One of the machines bleeped out of rhythm. He watched her face; a sense of awareness came to her features. Her eyelids twitched, slowly she opened them. Eric watched her pupils react to the light and focus on him. Confusion crossed her eyes in a flash; a moment later she smiled.
"Eric," Her voice was barely a whisper. "Sorry to bother you."
"You'll have to drink my blood, it's the only way to for you to walk out of here."
Eric settled her more comfortably so he could hold her in one arm. Lifting his left wrist to his mouth he bit down; the skin opened. He held it to her lips.
"Go on, it will close soon."
Percy did as he said; he could feel the effect it had on him. His energy grew weaker; but he was also excited by it. Her lips moved softly against his skin. And he was still a man; and it did affect him. After a few moments, he took his arm away from her mouth. Her eyes were closed.
Eric kept hold of her as he removed the tubes and electrodes. "Keep hold of the blanket."
She did as he said; he slid his arms under her and lifted. She weighed nothing in his arms; even though she was full grown human. They didn't have long before nurses came to check on her.
Eric used his speed and blurred from the room; he came to his rental car and stopped. Pam was with him a moment later; she set Admar on the ground. Eric opened the door and set her across the backseat. Making sure she was covered by the blanket. He stood back, and Admar stepped around; sliding into the backseat. He gently settled his mother into his lap and smoothed her hair away from her face.
Pam sat next to Eric as they drove back to the Hotel Camilla. Percy was more aware now and able to walk on her own. She huddled in the blanket, despite the Texas heat. Admar kept his arm around her as they walked into the hotel. None of the staff paid attention to them; they were trained not to.
Eric was anxious; which he wasn't normally. He wanted her to be comfortable but felt helpless. He wasn't sure how to help her. He hovered close by as she stood in the hotel room. She was still wrapped in the blanket; looking around with dazed eyes.
"Addie, can you make a run to MacDonalds?" She asked lightly
Admar nodded, "Sure, the usual?"
She nodded.
He left the room.
Percy drew in a deep breath; running a hand through her hair. She frowned, "Do you have a shower?"
"Yes," Eric led her to the bedroom and to the bathroom. It was large enough for five people stand in. He held the door aside and waved her in.
"I have clothes for you,"
He left and grabbed the bags from the living room. Pam looked up, frowning as he ignored her. He returned and found her standing in the bathroom. She kept the lights off; looking around at everything. She turned to face him as he stood in the doorway.
"Would you like the lights on?" He asked, she shook her head.
"I can see perfectly well, thanks to you." She smiled gently at him, it didn't last. "I am sorry to bother you, Eric."
"It's fine." He set the bags by the cabinet and moved to close the door.
"No, please," She moved toward him, "I need company right now. Just come in and close the door."
Eric hesitated, not sure if he should. But the look on her face; the worry in her eyes, made him step into the room. He shut the door and sat down on the closed lid of the toilet. She stood where she had stopped. He could have reached out and touched her; but didn't. She was still huddling herself.
"I apologize for having to give you my blood." He said carefully.
"Don't be," She said carefully, "Please, don't feel badly. I would not have been able to leave if you hadn't." She fell quiet and watched him a few minutes, "Is he really gone, Eric?"
"Yes," Eric felt his throat close up, "Yes, he's gone."
Tears blurred his eyes, turning his vision red. He wiped a hand across his face. He felt warm hands touch his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw her kneeling in front of him. Her cheeks glittered in the darkness. Eric gently brushed a thumb across the wet trails. He hated to see her cry. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. She cuddled against his chest; her head resting on his shoulder.
The two of them sat quietly; crying for their loss. Because of his blood in her veins, he could feel her sorrow. Crying didn't equate how she felt; her deep and complete sense of loss. The total feeling of sadness that engulfed her being; that filled her heart. Eric held her and gently rocked back and forth. He had no words to describe how he felt about Godric's death; there just didn't seem to be enough to say.
Eric whispered the only thing that came to mind. "Lo, gjør der jeg ser min far. Lo, gjør der jeg ser min mor, mine søstre og mine brødre. Lo, gjør der jeg ser ledningen av mitt folk tilbake til å begynne. Lo, de kaller til meg. De byr meg tar mitt sted på Asgard i hallene av Valhalla, Hvor den modige kan leve for evig."
Lo, there do I see my father.
Lo, there do I see my mother, my sisters and my brothers.
Lo, there do I see the line of my people back to the beginning.
Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place on Asgard in the halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.
Percy lifted her head and kissed both of his cheeks. "Thank you,"
She stood up and crossed to the shower. The hiss of water filled the room. She let the blanket fall the ground; Eric looked away as she shed her clothes and stepped in. He sat with her until she was dressed again; in the clothes had had brought. They stepped out together and he led her back to the main area.
Admar looked up at they joined him. Percy sat next to him; kiss his cheek. "Hey."
"Hope you're still hungry." He asked, nodding to the second bag of food.
"I am." She opened it and took out the contents. There was a straw for her drink and she stabbed it through the plastic lid, taking a sip. "You got regular Coke?"
He shrugged, "Figured you could use the calories."
She smiled, "Thanks."
Eric sat across from them, Pam joined him. "So now that you're awake; care to talk about what happened?"
Percy nibbled her fries, "It's all a bit blurry to be honest. The last thing I remember is Charlie's face as someone hit me across the skull. I woke up and there were a bunch of people standing around. There was a guy who was talking. I didn't hear all of it."
"Do you know where you were?" Eric asked.
Her brow furrowed as she thought back, "A church maybe?" She shrugged, "I can't really remember."
"Did they say anything to you?"
Percy drew the burger container out of the bag; popping the lid with her thumbs. "The usual stuff; 'you are cursed, damned, sold your soul to the devil'….blah, blah, blah."
Eric was quiet as the thought; she ate the rest of her food.
"And they targeted you because Charlie told them about your powers." Eric surmised.
"I guess so," Percy sipped her drink, "Honestly; I was just shocked by the whole thing. I've never used my abilities in front of him before. He must have found my journals."
Eric frowned, "You still keep journals?"
She nodded, "It's the only way to keep my sanity most of the time. And it's a nice habit, gives me an outlet. It never occurred to me he would read them."
"Was there anything about me or where I am located?" Eric asked
She shook her head, "You're it in, but not named. And no, I didn't put your location in my journals."
Admar spoke then, "Why would Dad turn on you all of a sudden?"
Percy put her garbage in the bag and sat back. "We were arguing about Ricky attending that Sunshine school. That would be my only guess."
Eric remembered her saying something about it in the dream. "So he arranged for you to be staked?"
Percy shrugged, "I really don't know, Eric. I wish I did. I haven't used my powers for a long time. I mean I work with them; but in private, out in the country. I never use them in crowded areas or around people."
"Is there any chance the Ricky could have inherited any of them?" Eric asked.
"No," Admar muttered, "I got them."
"And they don't share?" Pam asked.
Admar shrugged, "Ricky is seven now. If he had any abilities they would have surfaced."
"Could Charlie had seen them and not said anything?" Pam asked.
Percy was quiet for a long time, "I doubt it. I haven't sensed anything in him. Admar is the only one who inherited them."
Admar glanced at his cell phone, "I should go, it's close to midnight."
"You're still staying with your friend Max?" Percy asked lightly, looking at her son.
Admar stood up, gathering the garbage. "Yeah, his parents won't be back until the end of the month. So it's cool. He likes having me around; we play videogames and stuff. Plus, he can have parties. It's made him popular at school."
Percy smiled gently, "I can see how he would like it. Just be careful okay? I don't want you getting into trouble."
Admar tossed everything into the nearby can and came back to the couch. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Love you too. I'll call you tomorrow, get some rest."
"I will."
Eric stood up and followed Admar to the door. The teen turned and faced him; his expression was serious.
"Look after her, okay? She's the only mother I have."
Eric nodded, "I will."
"She doesn't know this, but Charlie was ordered to bring her to the church."
"Why?"
"He had to prove his loyalty to the Fellowship. When they learned about her journals and what was in them. They ordered him to bring her in. Steven Newlin insisted she had information on the vampires."
"Did she say anything?"
Admar shook his head, "I wasn't there. Mom sent me to Max' s house the night she was taken in. I guess she had a hunch something would happen."
"She must have seen it." Eric crossed his arms as he stared at the teen. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Admar regarded him, "She said you were a good guy, for a vampire. But it never occurred to me you'd be worried about me."
Eric shrugged, "I am not, really. You seem grounded. But with everything that's happened, it can take a toll."
"It freaks me out a bit; makes me sorry I have her powers. But I wonder if I really do. I mean, she saw this coming. But I didn't. Perhaps I don't have her gifts after all."
"Second-sight is only one of them; surely know that?"
Admar nodded, "I know what she can do; I only hope I can't do that stuff. It's scary."
"That's why I am wondering why she didn't fight back. Why they even got her in the first place."
"She didn't want to hurt anyone. It goes against her moral code; using her powers to harm people." Admar shook his head, "I doubt I would be sorry if I hurt anyone. Especially if they were trying to kill me."
Eric nodded, "I agree."
Admar left and Eric locked the door behind him. He returned and found Pam and Percy discussing shoes.
"I like the new stilettos," Percy admired Pam's new shoes. "These are a little sparkly for my taste. I like the black, strappy kind."
Pam glanced at her, "I would have figured you for a sneaker-type."
"The stilettos give you that sexy swagger; sneakers don't. Sometimes it's nice to wear them." Percy handed the shoe back, looking up to Eric. "He okay?"
"I didn't bite him." Eric told her, sitting on the couch. Pam put her new shoes on.
Percy smiled, "I know."
Pam stood up and modeled her new shoes, "What do you think?"
"Very nice," Percy studied the vampire, "Though, you have nice legs, so it works."
"I know," Pam regarded her feet, "I'm hungry," She headed to the door, "Eric?"
He shook his head.
She left the room.
Percy closed her eyes, rubbing them. "Are you staying long?"
"I don't need to go out tonight; but I can get you your own room if you want."
She smiled again, looking at him, "I meant in town. Now that you've rescued me and such, I'd think you'd return home. Go back to your business and all that."
"I am not finished here,"
Eric stood up and went to his room. He had a sudden need to get away; to be alone. He wasn't sure if those were her emotions or not.
Percy followed him, stopping at the door; he sat on the bed. He looked up at her; they stared at one another for a few minutes.
"You took my ring off," She said calmly, "Why?"
Eric looked away from her for a moment, "It didn't look right."
She watched him, "What does that mean, Eric?"
He stood up and turned his back on her; there were no windows to look out of. SO he crossed to the television, but it put him closer to her. Which didn't help him.
"Eric, come on." Percy sighed, "You can't be mad at me for marrying Charlie."
"Yes, I can." He pressed the on button and watched images on the screen. "Why did you do it?"
"Same reason a lot of people get married, company."
"You don't love him then?" Eric pressed the button to change the channels, not really noticing the images. He wanted to know her answer.
"I am going to sleep on the couch, I am tired."
"Persephone, answer the question." Eric appeared in front of her. "At least give me that."
She stared up at him, "Why, Eric? Will the answer help you? Will it make the pain of this mess any less?"
"No, nothing can do that." He said gently, "But I have to know."
Percy sighed, staring at his chest instead of his eyes. She turned to leave.
"Did you cry when you learned Godric was dead?"
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him; anger made them darker. Her shoulders tightened. Eric felt the wash of anger; the regret, the sorrow. And he felt something else to; it made him reach for her.
She lashed out; her hand slapping across his face. Eric paused; only for a second. He pulled her close and kissed her lips. Her body relaxed and he deepened the kiss. She responded to him; putting her hands around his neck. The kiss lasted for a long time. Percy finally stepped back and watched him with steady eyes.
Eric slowly removed his hands from her body; meeting those eyes. "I need to hear you say it."
"No," She said softly, "No, I don't love, Charlie."
"They why?"
Percy closed her eyes and Eric sensed sadness in her. "Because, never stopped loving him and couldn't be with him anymore."
Eric gently kissed her lips, "He loved you, in his own way, to the very end."
She smiled, but it was sad. "I know. That's the worst part; I know."
She stepped out his reach and turned away, "I am going to sleep."
"No, sleep here." He motioned to the bed, "I can't have you sleep on the couch, Godric wouldn't allow that and neither will I."
"You need to sleep here."
"We can share," Eric told her, his voice gentle, soothing. "I won't bite."
Percy laughed gently, "I might."
He smiled, "That would be foreplay."
She stared at the bed and was too tired to keep fighting it. "I tend to snore."
"It won't bother me."
"I can't guarantee I can keep out of your dreams; this close, with your blood…" She shook her head, "I just can't guarantee that."
Eric crossed to the bed and stretched out, he patted the empty side. "Come on, you're exhausted."
She crossed to the bed, pulled back the covers and lay down. "I have this strange desire for you. Not that you're not desirable, it's just…it doesn't feel entirely like my own."
Eric picked up the remote from the bedside table, "I won't say no."
She looked up at him; stretched out beside her. "I know that in your time, it was customary to share the wife of the dead leader; but I'm a modern girl. You can't just assume-"
"I don't," Eric looked at her, serious. "I don't expect anything from you. I promised Godric I would protect you. I am doing that. But I don't expect you to sleep with me."
She arched a brow, "You don't?"
He sighed and looked away; flipping channels with the remote. "Go to sleep, Percy."
She watched him for a while before rolling onto her side; her back toward him. "Night, Eric."
He didn't say anything.