The Princess and the Sheriff
Chapter 11 Continued
Bon Temps, LA…
Interior of Merlott's Bar and Grill…
Same night…
It wasn't long before their group was gathered around the tables. Jessica sat on a stool near a small table; her TruBlood in hand. Lennie played down the game to enable the humans to feel good about it. She could have kicked their asses if she wanted. Instead she let them think her an amateur by deliberately missing shots and holding her cue in correctly. And it gave Jason the opening he wanted to get close to her.
"Here," He set his cue stick aside, "Let me help."
He stepped up behind her; the heat of his body burned against her back. It was overwhelming for a moment. She wasn't used to human men this close. His arms slid around hers; his hands touched hers. The contrast between hot and cold wasn't missed by either one of them. He hesitated for a moment; before wrapping his hands around hers.
"Okay, so, you want to hold it this way."
Lennie let him move her hands into the correct places.
"When you are ready to take a shot; you look at the table and find the best line for the cue ball."
He stepped back just a little so she could lean down. Jason kept himself close to her. As he reached to correct her intentional mistake; his hands grazed her butt. She kept the smile hidden. Jason made the corrections. His chest pressed against her shoulder blades. His hands again wrapped around hers. Helping her to guide the cue stick.
"And when you're ready," he paused, "Fire." He moved the stick and she let him. The cue ball smacked into a solid color and it sank. Lennie looked over at him, smiling. They were inches apart. She heard the skip in his heartbeat; the rush of blood through his body as he got excited. At her back she felt how excited he really was.
"See? Easy." His voice was shaky.
Lennie nodded, "Very."
They stared at one another; Lennie was over come with the delicious smell of him. His blood pulsed under the thin skin of his body. Her vampire nature surged through her; demanding she feed. The woman in her asked for more then blood; it would be easy to take both.
Someone cleared their throat; probably Hoyt. "Jason, we could use a refill."
Jason blinked and remembered where they were. "Ah, right, sure." He stepped away from her; he was shaking a little.
Lennie let out a breath; her head was swimming with her needs. Too many hungers were raging all at once through her body. She felt like a brand new vampire, completely consumed.
Lovisa? Godric's voice filled her head. His presence breathed over her body; pulling her out of the haze of hunger. Control yourself. You cannot loose control here.
She had to get out of here for a moment.
It wasn't until the warm summer air was wrapped around her; that she realized she was outside. Despite her centuries of living among humans; she still needed moments of isolation. There was only so much she could take before it wore thin. She hadn't really needed to be social in Dallas. She was out of practice.
Her body was going crazy; she felt starved. Wildness surged into her muscles. Her hands ached to fell hot flesh under them. Her fangs were tingling. It reminded her of the first night she was awake. Out-of-control and lost to her power.
Lovisa, still yourself. Godric's calm washed over her more fully. Like a wave of total peace crashing into the heart of a tsunami. The wildness was chased back. The madness in her was reigned in. Her fangs stopped tingling; she felt them shrink in size. Within herself she was able to pool the stillness of Death. The sounds of the warm night grounded her.
I have not felt you this wild in centuries. What has shaken your calm so much?
Lennie shook her head; she had to struggle to tap the link between them. This place.
Is it? His cool control flex through her; restoring her sense of control. I will come to you.
Godric's presence left her; the link was disconnected.
Lennie pressed her hands into the seat of the bike; arms straight; head down. Her fangs were out. Her hands tingled where Jason had touched her. Her head was once again clouded with the smell of Jason. She'd let her control slip a little too much.
"Lennie?" Jessica's voice reached her.
Lennie looked over; not sure if she wanted the baby vampire around right now. Jessica didn't pause as she came over; standing at the end of the bike.
"Everything okay?"
"I am not accustomed to humans any more." Lennie said lightly. She heard the accent in her words; she was really shaken if her accent was coming out.
Jessica cocked her head to the side, "You're not?"
"No," Lennie wasn't quite ready to move yet, "I have not spent this much time with them in many years."
"Oh," Jessica touched the taillight on the bike, "I guess Eric is a lot different from Jason, huh?"
Lennie forced herself to stand; her fangs snapped back. She ran her hands through her long black hair. "Only in some ways; in others they are a lot alike."
"Well, if you want to leave, I can tell Jason."
Lennie shook her head. She ran her hands down her shirt; it was a human gesture that bothered her. She stopped herself from fussing anymore. "No, I won't run. I just had to take a minute."
The two of them headed back into the bar; no one paid them any attention. Jason and Hoyt were talking as they sipped from their beer glasses. Hoyt noticed them first and stepped away from Jason. Jessica joined her boyfriend. Leaving Jason and Lennie by themselves.
Jason glanced nervously at her. He sipped at his beer again. Lennie decided to take the silence.
"I-"
Jason cut her off, "Sorry."
Lennie paused, surprised. "For what?"
"I upset you." He sighed, looking into his beer. "I guess I just moved too fast. You know? I treated you like a human. I keep forgetting you're not. You just look so…well, I just…"
Lennie put a hand on his arm. His skin was hot under her palm. "I am not upset. I was just overwhelmed for a second. I didn't want you to see me like that."
He shrugged, "I've seen fangs before."
She smiled at that. "You're a good guy, Jason."
He glanced at her, insecurity showed through. "But…?"
"Nothing," She shook her head, "But nothing, I appreciate it. Good guys are rare."
He stood a little taller, "So you're not dumping me?"
She hadn't realized they were actually together. "Not tonight."
He smiled at her, "Okay."
"And thanks," She said, he gave her a question a look, "For your help with the last shot."
He blushed a little, "It was nothing."
Hoyt's voice interrupted them, "Are we still playing?"
Jason nodded, swigging back the last of his beer. "Yeah." He crossed to the table, picking up the cue stick.
Lennie stood next to Jessica, leaning on the small bar anchored to the wall. There were other humans around; playing pool, laughing and having a good time. Hoyt and Jason laughed as they played pool. They were obviously good friends. Everything was back to normal between them. After several minutes Jessica leaned over. Lennie looked at her.
"You okay?" Jessica asked, glancing at her.
"Old age," Lennie muttered
Jessica chuckled, "I never did ask how old you are."
Lennie looked at her, "Do you really want to know?"
"Well if Eric's your vampire brother and he's like a thousand; you'd have to be really old."
Lennie nodded, "You could say that."
Jessica paused as she watched Hoyt take his turn. He aim missed the ball; Jason was next.
Lennie did her best to maintain interest; though she had to admit; she missed her Maker's company. His calming influence over her. There were some nights, like this, that she really just wanted to sit in his presence.
She turned to the entrance without really knowing what had drawn her focus. Godric stood at the entrance of Merlotte's. She smiled. Conversation lulled; activity went still. Only the country music kept going. Godric wore dark washed jeans, a dark t-shirt and dark shoes. The sleeves of the shirt didn't cover the tattoos on his upper arms. The ones near his neck and up his spine peeked out from the collar. The markings were eerie and incredibly beautiful. Godric stood there; with his hands in his pockets, looking around the place. His gaze settled on Sam Merlotte. The owner stood behind the bar. The man regarded the boy vampire, not sure if he should ask him to leave. He wasn't exactly under-aged. Godric saw Lennie and made his way across the floor. He nodded to Jason; who nervously returned it. Hoyt gave his friend a questioning look. Jason shook his head.
Godric came to stand next to Lennie; she was delighted, but kept it to herself.
She kept her voice low, "Thank you for coming."
He gave her a serious look. His blue eyes were dark. "Have you tasted him?"
She was startled; her Maker didn't ask questions like that. "No. Why?"
Godric looked to Jason for a moment. "It would explain your reaction earlier."
Lennie was puzzled. Turning her back to the others, she asked. "How?"
"Jason and Sookie are not just humans, Lovisa."
"I am aware of that."
Godric was quiet a minute, "Their blood of the fey."
Lennie arched her brows, "Fey?" Now it made sense. Fey blood was intoxicating to vampires. "I had not realized it could be fey blood."
She gave her a gentle smile, "You've always reacted strongly to those of the Fey."
Lennie knew he was right; there was something about fey blood that sent her spinning out of control. Most vampires were attacked to them. They hungered for fey blood. But for Lennie; it was a drug. She craved it. She was reminded once again why she limited her contact with humans. There was more fey-human blood mixes then people realized.
Godric touched her arm, "Don't worry about it, Lovisa. You will not savage the boy. You are far stronger then that."
"I am?" She asked softly.
"He is unharmed. You were able to resist. For that I am very proud." Godric took her hand, gently squeezing it. "Come, let us return to the game."
He studied the pool table; the two humans were watching without trying to be obvious.
Godric stepped around her, speaking to Jason and Hoyt. "Mind if I join in?"
Jason and Hoyt were stunned. "You play pool?" Hoyt was shocked.
"We could use another player; Hoyt's not very good." Jason said warmly.
His friend made a face at him; Jason returned it.
"I'll set up a new game." Hoyt handed his cue stick to Jessica, quickly racking up a new game.
"Here," Jason held out his cue stick to Godric, "Use mine, we can share."
Godric accepted it, stepping up to the table. Lennie felt every pair of eyes in the bar watching; as Godric studied the table, leaned down and took his shot. There was a pleasant smack as the cue ball scattered the triangle. Jason nodded in approval; Hoyt did too.
"I'm next," Hoyt piped up, stepping to the table.
Godric stood back with Jason as the man lined up a shot.
**
Jessica leaned over to Lennie as they watched Godric. "Who's he?"
Lennie smiled, "My Maker."
The vampire gasped, "But he's…a kid!"
Lennie shook her head, "He's more then that."
Eventually everyone in the bar returned to their own activities. Conversation rose in a pleasant wave of steady sound with the music underneath it.
Jason, Hoyt and Godric seemed to get along well as they moved about the table. Lennie was painfully aware of Jason as he moved around the table. She kept her self back from the table. Leaning on the small bar mounted on the wall.
Hoyt was a terrible player; he kept missing at each turn. It could be that he was distracted by Godric. He just couldn't stop glancing at him. Jason seemed to have better focus. Though he was highly competitive and took it hard when Godric edged him out of the lead. Godric led the game but only by a small margin. Finally, at one point, he intentionally missed his aim and Jason took the lead again.
The red head brought over a tray of fresh drinks to their table: A pitcher of Dixie Draft for Hoyt and Jason; and a new True Blood for Jessica.
She stared at Godric. "He is a vampire, right? Otherwise he's too young to be in here."
"It's fine," Lennie assured her.
The woman didn't seem comfortable with it but walked off. The two boys finally decided to take a break. They came over, picking up their beer glasses.
Lennie stepped up to the table. She caught Godric's eye. When she spoke, it was in Old Gaelic. "Care for a game?"
He tipped his head, picking up Jason's cue stick. Lenny took possession of Hoyt's.
"Ladies first," Godric spoke in the same language.
Lennie took aim for the cue ball; she snapped the stick forward; there was a loud smacking sound. An orange ball sank in the far corner pocket.
"Don't break the table," Godric chuckled.
Lenny took another shot; she deliberately sank the wrong ball. Godric laughed softly as he took over the game.
"Well, I thought I'd go easy for an old guy like you," She teased gently.
"Old guy," Godric shook his head, as he aimed the cue stick, "Who are you calling old?"
She chuckled softly, "Well you know I did see a wrinkle in my forehead the other day."
Godric took his shot; sinking his own color. He stepped around the table, lining up another shot.
Jason leaned over to Hoyt, "What's that language they're using?"
"Chinese?" Hoyt suggested.
They watched the two vampires take turns playing the game.
Godric spoke again still using Old Gaelic, "When are you going to tell Eric about the plot?"
Lennie frowned, "What?"
He gave her a look; the look a father gives his daughter when something is obvious.
She shook her head, "I don't know enough yet to talk to him."
"You should at least warn him, don't you think?"
Lennie leaned on her cut stick, "And tell him what? I know that there is a hit on his life but I don't know anything else."
"It would be the truth." Godric took another shot, "He's annoyed with you for not telling him earlier." Lennie had been trying to avoid that.
"So you told him?" She asked.
"He was worried about you. You know what he's like when it comes to you. If he thought you were in danger; he would wreck havoc. Besides, I love you both; I couldn't let him think that. It was best."
"How did you figure it out?" She asked.
"Sophie-Ann, she hinted at it in our meeting." Godric told her simply.
Her Maker stood up; setting the cue stick aside. He crossed to her; their gazes met. His blue eyes were dark with age; but not power. She watched his face and felt suddenly guilty. She sighed.
"Lovisa, he loves you; you deserve to give him the truth. I would suggest you do so before speaking to Alcide." He stepped around her.
Lennie gaped for a moment, "How did you…?" She turned, running after him. He paused at the door, looking back. "How did you know I was going to talk to him?"
He gave her a small smile, "It's what I would do."
Godric left the bar. Lennie sighed; she looked over at the group, they were watching her. She nodded her head toward the door. Jason came over, the other two followed. Jessica grabbed Lennie's coat and helmet from their table.
Once outside, Lennie sat on her bike, putting the key in the ignition. She didn't start it; just got it all ready. Jason came over.
"Was he mad at you for hanging out with us?" He asked.
Lennie shook her head, "Not, not about you."
"But he was mad?" Jason asked, "Why?"
She looked across the distance, Godric was gone. She had been trying to avoid Eric being mad at her and now he was anyway. Damn, she thought.
"Hey," Jason's hand touched her shoulder; his hot touch burned through her. "Are you okay?"
She looked at him, "I just made a mistake, that's all."
His face darkened, "By being with me, right?"
"No," She shook her head, "No, not with you."
Jessica stepped up, handing over the coat and helmet. "We wanted to say goodnight."
Lennie accepted her coat with a nod, "Nice meeting you again." She looked to Hoyt, "Thanks for the game, Hoyt."
He smiled at her, "Nice meeting you, Lennie."
She watched the couple cross the lot to Hoyt's truck. He helped Jessica in the passenger seat before going around to the other side.
Jason touched Lennie again, his hand was gentle. "You look really sad."
She did? She hadn't thought about it. "Sorry."
He smoothed his hand down her cheek. She looked at him; his expression was sincere. She put her hand over his; smiling gently.
"Thanks for tonight," She said lightly.
"I'd like to do it again,"
Lennie sighed, looking at her coat in her hands. "Jason, I don't know. There is a lot happening right now and I can't always be around. If you were to get hurt…"
She was startled at herself. She was worried about him. Genuinely worried. She hadn't worried about a human since her living days.
"What did Godric say to you? Why are you suddenly so upset?" Jason's tone took on warmth. He was revving up to defend her. "Was he mean to you?"
She laughed softly, "Not all. He just reminded me of who and what I am. That's all."
"I'd like to know you too. I think there is more to you then just him and Eric."
Lennie looked up at his words. "What?"
Jason shook her head, "I think that your more then just them. You are an awesome girl…ah, well, you know…" He stumbled for a moment, "I just think that you've been with them too long. You need to do something for you once in a while."
She hadn't thought of any such thing in ages. Perhaps he was right? Lennie considered his words. She still had to deal with the threat against Eric. And then there was the brewing problem with Sophie-Ann. And let's not forget about Bill; what was she going to do about him? Her mind felt suddenly crowded; she was back to being confused and frustrated again.
But still…something for her self…?
"You're right," She said lightly, "Perhaps it's time I did." She looked at him again. "I'll come back tomorrow night."
"Here?"
She shrugged, "Why not? It's a good place to hang out."
He nodded, "Sure, okay."
"It might be late, though. I need to stop by Eric's bar for a bit."
"Oh yeah, I guess you should eat first."
She smiled, "Something like that."
Jason dropped his hand and sighed, he glanced at the ground. Using the toe of his boot he nudged a piece of gravel. "I really did enjoy the game."
"Me too."
"Even if you did dummy it down for us country boys." He glanced at her, his eyes teasing her.
She chuckled; he had caught on. "It worked out well, I think."
"Yeah, me too." He looked back to the ground; kicking another loose rock. He seemed to want something; but hadn't decided yet.
Lennie shrugged on her coat; taking her Ipod out of her pocket.
"Hey, Lennie…" Jason suddenly leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
She was startled, his lips were hot. The kiss ended and he stepped back, his eyes showed a hint of fear but mostly surprise. He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
She smiled at him; touched by the humanity him. "Thanks, Jason."
He bobbed his head. "I normally kiss better then that. But I was afraid you'd bite me."
"No," She shook her head, "I would ask first."
He gave her a surprised look, "You would? Not glamour our anything?"
"I don't think I would." Lennie considered, "I like you; it would be like stealing if I did it that way."
Jason looked away. It was obvious he was nervous again. "Eric's probably told you about my…a…past."
She nodded, Eric had told her but only after she already knew. "To be honest, I had planned on killing you right away. It never occurred to me you'd be a nice guy."
He looked up, quickly, a flash of eyes. "I am nice. Just a fuck up."
Lennie laughed gently at that, "We are all, in some ways."
"Nah, not you." He shook his head, "I mean look you got for your Maker and your brother. No way you could be a fuck up."
"Oh, I was." She said gently, "When this life started for me, I made mistakes. Both of them were hard on me for a while. We've all mellowed with age; Godric especially."
Jason looked up then; surprise lit through his expression. "Godric?"
She nodded. "He was quite the hell-raiser in his younger days. Stories abound about his deeds. He was feared through out Europe for centuries."
"He seems so…" Jason paused, searching for the right word, "Chill."
"Like I said, he's mellowed. I think his age finally caught up to him Dallas. He's toned down his ways a lot since the 1700's."
Jason shook his head, looking away again, "I just can't get over his baby face, you know. It's hard to think of him as an old vampire."
Lennie smiled softly at that, "Yeah, a lot of people make that mistake."
Jason pulled in a deep breath; seeming conflicted about something. "You know, I don't normally ask, but…"
She could see where this was going, "Jason."
He paused, glancing up at her. "Yeah?"
Lennie couldn't make her self say it; she felt suddenly so very unsure. "I should leave. It's late and I haven't fed tonight."
He quickly nodded, "Sure, sure. I'll call you tomorrow."
She returned the nod and zipped up her coat. Turning on her Ipod she put one of the earbuds in. "Thanks again."
Jason's truck was beside her, so he waited for her to leave. Lennie started the engine. It rumbled under her. Putting the other earbud in, she slid on her helmet and waved. Backing the bike out of the spot; she revved the engine once. Settling into the seat; she opened the throttle and fed it gas. The bike roared like a lion and sped out of the lot.
**