Thought I'd upload another chapter today...I'd love to hear what you think so far (:


Chapter 2

As the darkness of the night faded and a new day began, I sat on the bed, reliving the first time I met Eric Northman. Although my human memories had begun to fade, I could still remember every detail of this encounter. Every emotion and thought I had that night still swirled around in my mind.


As I approached the vampire bar Fangtasia, a dash of anxiety started to cloud my mind. Butterflies erupted through my stomach and made their way to the rest of my body with every step I took closer to the entrance. Most people would have definitely been afraid to walk into a vampire bar. I wasn't one of them. In fact, I'm not sure if I ever feared vampires like most people did. To me, vampires were basically like people—especially because at one point in their lives, they were human. This would be like any other job—and I needed it badly to pay my rent. From what I could see, the building looked like a normal business. There were no coffins, bats, or no other vampire clichés. The only indicator that I was at a vampire bar was the sign.

"Fangtasia. That's cute," I muttered.

I placed a hand on the door and then retracted it. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a mirror so I could look at myself in the small compact. I had bright blue eyes, nearly translucent skin, and long black hair. I looked great in my leather jacket, black tank top, jeans, and Doc Martens. With a sigh, I pulled open the unlocked door and walked in.

I walked down the short hall and into the main part of the bar. As I looked around, I noted that everything bit of the decor in the room was done in shades of red, black, or gray. As I had expected, the lighting in the room was dim, but what I hadn't expected were the ironic signs that read "No biting on the premises". I couldn't help but smirk at those. I had read online how the tourists flocked to this place to get glimpses at vampires, but tonight there wasn't the usual bunch of eager tourists. Instead, the bar was deserted…except for a skinny blonde with short hair that was wearing a silver spandex bikini top. She was wiping the bar down with a rag and then glanced briefly at me.

"Here for the job interview?" she asked with a thick southern accent. I nodded and followed the blonde's gaze to a hallway leading away from the main floor.

"He's waiting for you in the office," she said and went back to wiping the bar.

I weaved around a few tables and over to the hallway. With every step, I found that my breathing became more erratic and my heart pounded louder and louder. I wasn't really sure why I was reacting this way…I knew my purpose. It's just a job, I repeated in my mind. You need the money. I had made it down the hallway and was now in front of a door. I knocked.

"Enter," said a voice. I pushed open the door.

I barely glanced around the office. My attention went directly to the rather large vampire sitting at a desk. He didn't glance up or acknowledge my presence at first, so I was able to stare at him. He was probably the most radiant person I had ever seen, with his short blond hair and defined features. He was undoubtedly tall; his broad shoulders were another indication of his size. I could see that he was wearing a black sleeveless shirt that showed off his defined arms. The vampire had yet to look at me, so I cleared my throat. He finally looked up and his blue eyes met mine briefly before they moved to the rest of my body very slowly. I cleared my throat again. I didn't really appreciate the way he had been looking at me. His eyes snapped back to my face.

"Well aren't you sweet," he said in a voice that gave me chills. I detected a hint of an accent that had probably faded with time. I blinked a few times, somewhat surprised by his approach, but then regained my composure.

"Not particularly," I replied. The vampire stared at me a moment before smirking.

"Your name?" he asked.

"Carson Gardner," I said.

"Well Carson Gardner, what brings you to Fangtasia this lovely summer evening?" He asked coolly.

"I saw your ad in the paper and I think I could be of some assistance," I answered.

The vampire leaned forward on his desk and looked up at me. "Take a seat," he said and I sat down in the chair across from the vampire and was now almost eye level with him.

"Tell me, what kind of assistance could you provide for me?"

I narrowed my eyes. I caught on to his suggestive tone. Ever since the Great Revelation occurred, so many humans were turning into vampire groupies and I was starting to believe that this vampire viewed me as one.

"You mean aside from being your dinner?" I asked bluntly. He raised an eyebrow at me and was going to answer but before he could, I cut him off.

"I'm a bartender and I'm also pretty familiar with music systems. I have a resume if you'd like to look at it."

Without waiting for an answer, I pulled out a manila folder that held all of my work information and held it in front of him. So far, I wasn't sure what direction this interview was headed in…but I refused to play nice with someone who saw me as some sort of toy. The vampire grabbed my resume and started flipping through the references; all but one was from my brother. He didn't seem to be reading through them, but then something peaked his interest.

"You have worked at the night club Pulse in Los Angeles? From what I've heard, it is difficult to get a job there."

"I'm close with the owner," I shrugged.

"In what way?" the vampire asked.

"He's my brother."

"Interesting," He said while nodding. He closed the folder and handed it back to me. "But something doesn't quite add up, Miss Gardner."

I tilted my head in confusion, not sure of what couldn't add up.

"What doesn't add up is that while your brother owns probably the most efficient clubs in the west, you would rather work here for me. I'm curious to know what your brother thinks about this."

"It's not my brother's life," I responded. "I'm an adult and free to make my own decisions."

The vampire stared at me with an unreadable expression but them his mouth twisted upward into an intimidating smirk. He slouched back in his chair.

"Miss Gardner, while you maybe an adult you're rather naïve. You are not thinking about what you could be getting yourself into…"

My patience was starting to wear thin. He had gone from suggestive to condescending in a matter of minutes. I wondered if he acted this way with all of the people he interviewed.

"Yes I do," I replied, rather annoyed. "Do you think I'm that stupid that I don't know what vampires are capable of?"

"No, I think you're human. You would do anything for sheer entertainment even if it meant risking your life."

My mouth dropped open in surprise, yet the vampire's face remained blank, his blue orbs were focused on me, silently challenging me and waiting for my rebuttal. I couldn't believe that he had the audacity to just assume that about me.

"Well, Miss Gardner do you have anything to say for yourself?" He asked, obviously amused by me. I closed my mouth and my jaw locked. I said nothing as I stood up and turned towards the door. I began to walk but then stopped and turned to face him.

"Actually, I do have something to say for myself. You don't have the right to automatically judge me when you know nothing about me. I am not naïve or looking for fun. What I'm looking for is a job because I need to pay my rent. And according to you, I did work at the best club in the west, so I do have some kind of potential. But instead, I'm being treated like I'm just some vampire chew toy!" I paused and took a breath. "And quite frankly, this has been a waste. I'm sorry, Mr. whatever your name is for wasting your time." I spun on my heel and moved to turn towards the door, not hearing the vampire's silent advance towards me.

"Carson?" I turned slightly to see that the vampire was now in front of me. His large muscular body towered over my slender one, and he moved closer, so now I was practically pressed up against the door. His blue eyes looked ice cold and they narrowed as he began to speak.

"Let me inform you of something," He said and I heard a small click. He opened his mouth to reveal his pointed fangs.

I wasn't pissed off anymore. Now, I was just pain scared.

"My name is Eric Northman. I was turned over a thousand years ago and I'm the owner of this fine establishment. Never once over those years has a human spoken to me like that before. The ones that tried were killed shortly after. However, while it would be easy for me to end your life, I wouldn't want to ruin that flawless skin of yours." His rather large hand came up to the side of my face but I jerked away before he could touch me. He let out a low growl before retracting his fangs and moved back to his place behind the desk.

"You'll start tomorrow night," He stated.

I scoffed, because in all honesty, I was over this. But what had I really expected to happen? I would just saunter in here and they'd throw the job at me? I should have known better.

"What makes you think I would want to work for you after that?"

Eric chuckled and looked me straight in the eye. "Like I said before, you would do anything for the entertainment even if it meant risking your life. If that wasn't true, you would have never come here in the first place. The choice is yours. Either show up tomorrow or don't bother coming here again."

I raised my eyebrows but said nothing as I placed my hand on the doorknob.

"Oh, and Carson?" I turned.

"You didn't waste my time. In fact, I thought you were rather...entertaining."

"Bite me," I muttered as I stepped out of the office. As I pulled the door shut, I think I heard Eric reply.

"Believe me, I intend to."


That first encounter with Eric Northman had permanently altered the course of my life. My world had been flipped upside down and in order to fix the remaining bits of my life, I needed his help. I couldn't do it without him.

I was completely immersed in thought when I heard a knock on the door.

A knock? My heart stopped.

The first thought that went through my head was that they found me. Whether they were wolves or something else, I had been found. And they were here to attempt to kill me.

I went into panic mode and searched desperately around the room for an escape. The only way out was the door—I was trapped. I quickly thought about my options. I could ignore whoever was on the other side and hope they didn't bust down the door. My eyes moved into the bathroom where I could see my gun. I decided that I would fight my way out again.

I got up from the chair and went into the bathroom. As my fingers grazed against the gun, I heard it again. Three knocks, and then silence. The gun was secure in my hand and I made my way to the door. I took a deep breath as I placed a hand on the lock, turned it, and then moved my hand to the doorknob. I aimed the gun and I opened the door.