In this chapter we learn how the queen found out Eric was awake and I am bringing another important character into play which is from the TV show and not the book.

A Better Tomorrow

Chapter 10- Such a Chill

Eric could hear Sookie's accelerated heartbeat. She was upset by what Bill had been telling her and it was unfortunate that he didn't get to hear the conversation but judging by the coldness of Bill's ''no'', it would have been quite entertaining. Eric pushed Bill out of the way and entered the building. Sookie followed him with her eyes but went back to looking at Bill. Something in her eyes had changed while looking at him and her heart seemed to be beating even faster.

"How come you never told us vampire blood had healing properties Bill?" she asked in an angered voice.

Bill glanced over at Eric who once again was smirking at him. He was enjoying the scene. Bill did not answer her right away but instead let an awkward silence filled the room. Sookie grew impatience and sighed heavily awaiting his answer.

"You are a selfish coward Bill Compton" she had declared turning her back to him to face Eric.

"It is not what it seems, Sookie. I did not have a choice in the matter"

"We always have a choice"

She looked up at Eric as in she was looking for answers in his icy blue eyes.

"Bill, I would like a moment alone with miss Stackhouse before I leave"

Sookie looked confused for a moment while Bill was staring at Eric.

"Now Compton"

Eric watched Bill leaving them and did not miss the pain that was in his eyes when he looked up at Sookie. It was obvious to him that these 2 had a history together and Eric promised himself he would interrogate Bill at the first occasion he would come upon.

"You are leaving?" Sookie asked

"I have been summoned by the queen" Eric answered

"How long will you be gone for?"

"That depends on our queen"

Sookie looked disappointed which made Eric smile. Was she already getting attached?

"Do you know why she has summoned you?"

"No I do not"

Eric made one step towards Sookie while raising the back of his hand slowly to her cheek. She closed her eyes while its back caressed her cheek gently.

"I will be back as soon as I can"

Sookie brought her own hand to his and while smiling she stated she wasn't worried. When she leaned towards him, Eric could feel her desire. He too closed his eyes leaning forward (and downwards!) as Tara barged in, interrupting them.

"Sookie! It is Dawn"

Sookie removed her hand quickly and followed Tara who was already out of the kitchen. Eric followed them closely as they ran towards what it seemed like a gathering of the whole community. When Eric reached the middle of the crowd, it had formed a circle around a body that was lying on the ground and Alcide and 2 other werewolves Eric did not know. He assumed that the body on the ground was ''Dawn''. He watched in silence as Alcide was arguying with one of the werewolf.

"These are vampire marks Alcide. We can't trust them"

"Enough Stephen, we do not know who did this and jumping to conclusion won't help anything" Alcide said louder as he looked up to Bill and Pam who was standing at the opposite side of Eric.

Pam was looking at Eric with her fangs out. She whispered she didn't do it and Bill couldn't have either in old Swedish, loud enough so only Eric and maybe Bill could hear it. Eric knew it wasn't her and wasn't Bill either. Judging by the look of the body, she had been drained and Stephen was right, it had been by a vampire. He was just accusing the wrong ones. Eric stepped in the inner circle of the crowd to face Alcide.

"May I?" he asked pointing at the body.

Alcide nodded in silence while Eric crouched to touch Dawn. He placed his hand over where her liver would be situated. The skin was still warm.

"She hasn't been dead for long" he declared while getting back up. "You are indeed correct that a vampire did this but I assure you neither I, Pam or Bill are responsible for her death"

"Why would we believe him" growled Stephen while looking at Alcide.

"Because I pick up a smell that is not theirs" simply declared Alcide.

"It is impossible, we have wards to protect us" somebody in the crowd stated. The rest of it agreed with it.

"Well apparently it is rather limited" said Pam joining Eric.

Eric did not recognize the smell on Dawn either which meant he had not been across the vampire before. Pam whispered to him in Swedish that it was a good thing they haven't left yet because they would have not been able to defend themselves against the accusations. How convenient. He agreed with her, this was definitely timed with his and her departure.

Eric took a moment to think about his next move. If a vampire was able to infiltrate the community and kill, why did he or she hid himself. It was not custom to kill and leave the body out in the open therefore he deducted that someone wanted the body found knowing they would be accused. Or maybe the vampire did not know about Pam and Bill and maybe was rogue. Either way, the community was no longer safe and leaving to see the queen would put it in higher danger.

"Pam, I will go to the queen alone, you must stay and investigate Dawn's death"

" Leaving?" Asked Alcide

"Yes, we were planning on leaving tomorrow night but due to the circumstances, I believe it would be wiser if I go alone."

Alcide agreed but still seemed suspicious. He looked at a couple of members of the pack who were growling probably by instincts. Eric looked through the crowd to see where Sookie was standing. He crossed her gaze and smiled at her before walking away. He could feel her distress, something was bothering her. He could feel the panic lingering within her but he had to go back to the cave before the sun rise. She tried to follow him but Sam grabbed her before she could.

Eric took flight to the lake regretting he had to go in his coffin. Pam and Bill were not far behind. Once they were in the coffin room, Bill spoke.

"Who did this?"

"I have no idea Bill" Eric responded. "I will inquire to the queen if she is aware of the attack. In the meantime, you both have to protect the rest of the community as it has been compromised. You may have a talk with the witches who have put together the ward. They might know the limitation of it which could bring us to whom did it."

" We will, we got by without any trouble without you before didn't we?" said Pam getting in her coffin.

"indeed" said Eric going to sleep as well. "I should be gone by the time you wake up"

Eric always woke up before most vampires because of his age. He was capable of staying up longer and waking up earlier as long as he was protected from the sun. He sometime managed to wake up in his coffin during the day although the sun made him sluggish

The sun was not completely down when Eric awoke in his coffin. He slowly got up, stiff from the long sleep he just had. As soon as the sun was not shining anymore, he got out of the cave. There was a couple of corpses wandering around the entrance and Eric took no time to take them out. There was something about chopping heads off that made him happy. So in a happy mood, he took flight towards the estate Bill had pointed out on a map where he would find the queen. The estate was a big castle surrounded by a metal gate. He saw the vampires guarding the entrance and decided to get in announced so he landed in front of them.

"I am here to see the queen"

The guards did not answer but opened the gate which lead to a big runway overgrown by grass and weeds. Once he reached the castle, he opened the doors which creaked loudly. The castle looked completely abandoned by the state it was in. The wallpaper was dirty and full of holes while the furniture was broken and full of dust. The chandelier which once looked over the main room was now on the ground. There were also broken paintings on the stairs that lead to the second floor. Eric stood at the entrance waiting for someone to come to him which didn't take long. A vampire by the name of André came from the room on the right. He was well dressed with a white tuxedo and looked seemed to be well fed.

"Eric, it is nice to see you"

"Like wise" Eric said not meaning it one second. Eric was never fond of André. He was arrogant and violent and reminded him of a snake.

"Please follow me."

André walked back into the room he came from which looked like the old dining room. He walked over the fireplace which open leading to a secret passage. They walked down to the under grown corridor which reminded Eric of a hospital. After walking in various different corridors which only had doors decorating them, they reached the main room. Eric could tell they were really far into the ground as most hallways were on a decline and the main room was very high. He looked up to the ceiling where he could see a big white light with reminiscence of the sun. There were empty balconies that were surrounding them. He then looked in front of him and smiled at the queen who was sitting at a big glass table. She signaled to approach her while André took place at her right side but Eric wasn't looking at them anymore, he was staring at the vampire on her left. Somehow, Eric was facing his maker but couldn't feel him which disturbed him greatly. He always assumed the absence of the bond was because his maker took to the ground. Now, he understood why the queen knew he was awaken, he must have told her.

"Good evening your majesty" and as he bowed to her he looked at his maker "Godric"

Thank you for reading

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xox

Z