21Chapter Two

Darcie stayed for week and a half and she and Sookie were thick as thieves. Darcie was planning visiting some more places since she was on holiday, so she didn't have a confirmed schedule to leave with Sookie. Darcie only said that she wanted to stop back in Bon Temps before leaving for home. She had graciously invited Sookie to come with her, but Sookie was not going to take a hand-out. Sookie was working the evening that Darcie left, so Darcie spent her time there before driving out. Darcie wished Sookie and everyone a last goodbye and headed out to her car. It was early in the evening but already dark and deserted in the parking lot. Darcie was suddenly gripped by an irrational feeling of fear. She shook off that feeling and quickly walked towards her car. She thought that she heard a noise to her left in trees. She stopped and her eyes scanned the darkness.

"Is there someone there?" she said aloud.

There was not an answer, nor was there any sign that someone else was in the parking lot. But, Darcie knew that she wasn't alone. She was closer now to her car than to the entrance of Merlott's. She was more than a match for any man, she thought. She resumed walking to her car with a quickened pace. She heard a noise behind her and she whirled around to face whoever was stalking her. That was when, she was struck on the side of the cheek. She fell down and lay stunned on the gravel of the parking lot. While she was down, Bill quickly stepped to her and sedated her. He picked her up and carried her to her car and laid her in the backseat. Bill got into the car and drove off.

Bill carried her inside Fangtasia through the back door and brought her to Eric's office. He laid her on the sofa and brushed the hair out of her face. Darcie was wearing a simple, but pretty dress in a floral pattern. Eric got up and came to look at her. Bill had not been lying, he thought. The girl had almost perfect even features and shapely legs, her skin was creamy and without blemish. Eric turned her head and noticed the bruise that Bill had given her. He frowned.

"Was it necessary to hurt her, Bill?" said Eric.

"Yes, it was. She moves very quickly and I had to stun her to keep her from seeing me," said Bill.

"And if she had been quick enough to see you, would you have killed her?" asked Eric.

"But, she didn't see me, that's all that matters," said Bill.

"Yes, we wouldn't want Sookie to find out that you assaulted her cousin and were more than willing to sentence her to a life of servitude to me," said Eric.

"I wouldn't get all high and mighty, Eric," said Bill, "and try to think your hands are clean in this matter. If it wasn't for your interference, this would not be happening."

"How typical of you to blame me," said Eric.

"Do you want her or not?" asked Bill.

"I will take care of her," said Eric.

"You can never reveal this. It's part of the deal," said Bill.

"Of course, Bill," said Eric. "But, someday all your lies will catch up with you."

Eric looked coldly at Bill and said, "Now, get out."

Bill angrily left.

Pam came in and also checked her out.

"Pretty, but I don't see a family resemblance," said Pam. "Are you sure that you can control her?"

"If I have learned anything from dealing with Sookie, it is that you can't force a Stackhouse to do anything," said Eric.

Pam looked up at Eric, confused, and said, "So, just how do you plan on making her work for you?"

"If she is like Sookie," said Eric, "she will have one very exploitable weakness."

"Oh, and what is that?" asked Pam. "And if you know Sookie's weakness, then why haven't you taken advantage of it?"

Eric was silent for a moment. He reached down and brushed a strand of Darcie's hair off her face.

"Her weakness is her heart," said Eric. "She is fiercely loyal to those she loves."

Eric turned his gaze to Pam and said, "And I'm not one of those."

There was an expression in his eyes that Pam did not understand.

"You plan on making this girl fall in love with you, then?" asked Pam.

"I'm fully certain that she is above my abilities to glamour or influence," said Eric.

"Okay, I'm lost here," said Pam.

"Her love of family is her weakness. Bill tells me that Sookie and Jason are her only remaining relatives. She will do whatever I ask in order to protect them," said Eric.

"Are you sure?" asked Pam. "She only just met them."

Eric sat down beside Darcie and petted her.

"She may not look like Sookie," said Eric. "But, I'm sure that her heart is just as fiercely loyal."

"Go and get an ice pack, Pam," said Eric.

Pam left and Eric studied Darcie. He thought that she would probably appreciate him being straight forward with her.

When Pam returned, he placed the ice pack against Darcie's face. She moved and started to come around.

"Leave us," said Eric to Pam.

He watched as Darcie opened her eyes. They were a beautiful green color, he thought. Slowly, those eyes found him and started to focus. As she became aware of her surroundings, she surprised him by staring at him with curiosity and fearlessness.

"You're a vampire," she said.

"Yes," said Eric.

"Are you the one who hurt me?" asked Darcie.

"No," said Eric. "I'm sorry about that. It was not my intention for you to be harmed."

"Who are you and why am I here?" asked Darcie.

"I am Eric Northman, Sheriff of this area, and you are here because of what you are," said Eric.

Darcie was silent as she tried to figure out what exactly he meant. She sat up and Eric moved to his desk and sat down.

"Can you clarify exactly what you mean?" asked Darcie.

"I already know that you are a telepath, Darcie," said Eric.

Darcie wondered who in Bon Temps had said something that found it's way back to his ear. Bill, being a vampire, was the most likely suspect.

"You're saying that I'm here because I'm a telepath?" said Darcie. "I take it that there is such a shortage of us that you need to resort to assault and kidnapping in order to obtain one."

"Basically, yes," said Eric. "But, you are also here because you are Sookie's cousin."

Now, for the first time, he saw a flicker of fear in her eyes.

"What does Sookie have to do with this?" she asked.

"Sookie actually, has everything to do with it," said Eric. "I will put it as straight forward as possible, Darcie. I want you to stay and work for me and, in return, I will leave Sookie and Jason alone."

"Why should I care what happens to them?" said Darcie.

Eric smiled and said, "I don't know the answer to that question. I only know that you do."

There wasn't any use pretending that she didn't care about them, thought Darcie. This vampire knew the truth. She felt woefully unprepared for dealing with this vampire since she had avoided his kind before. She only knew the basic things about them that had been imparted to her by her grandmother. He had her at a serious disadvantage and she was sure that he was not intending to cut her any slack.

"Are you telling me that you will harm Jason and Sookie if I refuse your offer?" asked Darcie.

"No," said Eric. "I will only continue my efforts to acquire Sookie from Bill in order to use her abilities. I don't have an interest in Jason since he does not share the Stackhouse family trait."

"How are you going to explain this to Sookie? Are you planning on saying that I am dead?" asked Darcie.

"I assume that you will want to see Sookie and Jason, so it would be unacceptable to keep you from them," said Eric. "However, Sookie will be able to read your mind and know the truth."

"No, she won't," said Darcie.

Eric raised his eyebrows and said, "Explain."

Darcie hesitantly said, "I can keep things from Sookie."

"How is that possible?" asked Eric.

"I know how to use this gift better than she does. I was trained by my grandmother," said Darcie.

Eric felt that she wasn't exactly telling him all the truth. But, it was a surprise that she was stronger than Sookie.

"If Sookie believes that you are here of your own free will, she won't like it but she will accept it. Especially, if this leaves her alone in Bon Temps with Bill. You will go back to Bon Temps and give some excuse that you missed your family too much. I will summon you and Sookie here. You will fall in love or lust with me and decide to stay with me."

"And she is going to believe that?" said Darcie. "She unsophisticated and trusting, but not stupid."

"Well, you will just have to be convincing, Darcie," said Eric, with a smile.

"I'm a telepath not an actress," replied Darcie.

"There is always the option of pretending that you met an unfortunate end," said Eric. "It's your choice."

Under her breath, Eric was sure that he heard, "wanker."

"So, do we have an arrangement?" said Eric.

Now, Darcie grew nervous. Never, ever enter into a bargain with a vampire. Those were the words of her grandmother. She had also cautioned her to never exchange blood with one. They were devious beyond imagining, she had said.

"I will stay here with you if you promise to leave Sookie and Jason alone," Darcie said. "But, I always have the power to change my mind."

"That's not much of a deal, Darcie," said Eric.

"You seemed so sure that I would agree to this because I care for Sookie and Jason. Do you doubt your ability now to keep me in line?" asked Darcie.

He was sure that Darcie would keep him on his toes. He was already impressed that she was smart enough to make sure that she had an escape clause.

"I accept your terms, Darcie," said Eric. "But, there is just one more thing."

"What else can you want?" demanded Darcie.

"It's just a little formality, but I require your blood to settle this," said Eric.

"Why is that necessary?" asked Darcie.

"It's a vampire thing," said Eric with a little smile.

Now, he got up and walked towards her. Her eyes widened and she scooted away from him against the arm of the sofa. He sat next to her and leaned into her neck. Darcie stopped him by placing her hand against his chest.

"You can't bite me because Sookie will see the marks," she said, trying to think of some reason to prevent him from biting her.

"Then, I'll just have to bite you somewhere that the marks won't show," said Eric with a smirk.